Key Takeaways:
- The Liberal party is now led by first-term MPs in three states, all of whom are women: Ashton Hurn in South Australia, Kellie Sloane in New South Wales, and Jess Wilson in Victoria.
- These leaders face significant challenges, including elections against popular Labor premiers and the need to address the party’s "women problem" and generational divide.
- The rise of these women leaders may signal a genuine shift in the party’s approach to gender representation and policy, but it remains to be seen whether they can overcome the party’s historical struggles with women’s issues.
- The Liberal party’s resistance to quotas and reliance on merit-based elevations may not be enough to solve its representation problems, with experts arguing that policy issues and demonstration of change are key to winning back voters.
Introduction to the New Leaders
The Liberal party has made history by electing first-term MPs as leaders in three states, all of whom are women. Ashton Hurn in South Australia, Kellie Sloane in New South Wales, and Jess Wilson in Victoria have risen rapidly to leadership positions in the past three weeks. This unprecedented lineup has sparked debate about whether this moment signals a genuine shift in the party’s approach to gender representation or if these leaders are perched on a "glass cliff," where women are elevated to leadership during times of crisis when the prospects of success are slim.
The Glass Cliff Phenomenon
The concept of the "glass cliff" suggests that women are often promoted to leadership positions during times of crisis, only to be pushed or fall off when the situation becomes too difficult to manage. However, Liberal strategist Tony Barry is optimistic about the rise of these women leaders, seeing it as the start of a reform project for the party. Former Howard government minister Amanda Vanstone also disagrees with the "glass cliff" analogy, arguing that it is more applicable to Labor governments and their treatment of women leaders. Instead, Vanstone believes that these Liberal women are leading because they are the best person for the job, sending a positive message about the party’s commitment to gender equality.
Similarities and Challenges
Hurn, Sloane, and Wilson share striking similarities, including their moderate wing affiliations and experience as prominent opposition frontbenchers. They also face significant challenges, including elections against popular Labor premiers and the need to address the party’s "women problem" and generational divide. Each leader has secured their position in a relatively bloodless fashion, but they will need to unite their parties and build policy platforms with broad appeal to succeed. For example, Hurn is three months away from an election against a very popular Labor premier, Peter Malinauskas, while Sloane confronts similar difficulties against Chris Minns, and Wilson must win 16 seats to topple a Labor government seeking an unprecedented fourth term.
New Ideas and Perspectives
The elevation of these women leaders is expected to bring new ideas and perspectives to the policymaking table. Mortlock points to Sloane’s focus on the nation’s "baby recession" and her pledge to return NSW’s IVF rebate as examples of promising early signs. Wilson’s commitment to creating a standalone coercive control offence and her emphasis on housing and home ownership are also seen as positive developments. These issues are likely to resonate with women and young people, who have been increasingly turning away from the Liberal party in recent elections. For instance, the 2025 Australian Election Study showed that while 37% of men gave their first preference vote to the Coalition, only 28% of women did, and among voters under 40, only 23% backed the Coalition.
The Road Ahead
Despite the optimism surrounding the rise of these women leaders, the Liberal party still faces significant challenges. The party’s resistance to quotas and reliance on merit-based elevations may not be enough to solve its representation problems. Experts argue that policy issues and demonstration of change are key to winning back voters, particularly women and young people. The party’s ability to address its "women problem" and generational divide will be crucial in determining the success of these new leaders. As Dr. Sarah Cameron notes, representation alone won’t solve the Coalition’s problem, and the party needs to demonstrate a genuine commitment to change and policy issues that resonate with voters. Ultimately, the success of Hurn, Sloane, and Wilson will depend on their ability to unite their parties, build policy platforms with broad appeal, and demonstrate a genuine commitment to addressing the party’s historical struggles with women’s issues.