‘Female Fighting Fund’ raises questions about gender quotas in parliament

Federal Minister for Financial Services and Women Kelly O’Dwyer has forked out $50,000 of her own money for the Liberal Party’s “Female Fighting Fund.”

The cash splash is to aid Liberal campaigns of female MPs and women pre-selected in winnable seats.

The member for Higgins told Tom Elliott all political parties should examine whether they can do better in adding to the gender balance in parliament.

“I am certainly saying we, the Liberal Party, can do better and I think you need to put in place practical measures,” Ms O’Dwyer said.

“The money will be held by the party organisation and the money will be spent in consultation with female cabinet ministers.”

Click PLAY below to hear the full details

Tom Elliott said when it comes to representing Australian citizens, communities should simply pick the best candidate and not focus on gender.

“Local organisations should pick the local best representative, and not focus on, are they male, are they female, black or white,” Tom said.

“Just pick the best person.

“I don’t want to go down the road of quotas in the parliament, I think that’s demeaning to people.”

Photo: AAP