Women’s advocate Charlotte Mortlock quits Liberal Party after Sussan Ley ousting
A leading advocate for greater women’s representation in the Liberals has left the party, just days after federal MPs elected the party’s first female leader, Sussan Ley.
Charlotte Mortlock, a former journalist who founded the liberal women’s advocacy group Hilma’s Network, wrote in an online statement that “recent events” led to her decision.
“I have decided that it is time to step down as executive director of the Hilma Network and I have also renounced my membership in the Liberal Party,” he said in a statement on Sunday.
“I founded Hilma’s four years ago and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished, especially the women we supported across the country throughout the primaries and elections.
“From our inception, we have rapidly grown to multiple countries hosting events that challenge the Party to evolve. “Due to recent events, I decided there were other ways I could support women and Australia.”
Ms Ley’s sacking, as well as Ms Mortlock’s announcement, follows the NSW Liberals’ decision to abandon a proposed vote on gender quotas.
Ms. Mortlock had helped draft the reform, which required at least 40 percent of lower house candidates to be women.
The loss of Ms Ley, who announced she would resign from Parliament, reduces the number of female Liberal MPs serving in the House of Representatives to five: Mary Aldred, Melissa Price, Melissa McIntosh, Angie Bell and Zoe McKenzie.
Comments on Ms Mortlock’s social media post expressed support for her decision, including Liberal moderate Maria Kovacic, who is also an outspoken supporter of Ms Ley. Senator Kovacic wrote: “You will be missed. Thank you for everything you have done and tried to do.”
Ms Mortlock’s departure on Sunday was described as a loss by new Liberal deputy leader Jane Hume.
“Charlotte has made great contributions and been a great voice for women with Liberal values,” Senator Hume told Insiders.
“And I think it’s a really sad moment.”
Senator Hume said he hopes the Hilma Network will continue its advocacy under new leadership.
“Sometimes when you have a big personality like Charlotte at the head of an organization pushing for change within a party, and that person leaves or moves on, the organization she built sometimes dies with her,” Senator Hume said.
“I hope that’s not the case, because I think there’s a real opportunity for women’s voices in the Liberal Party, and it’s up to us to show Australian women that the Liberal Party is the place for them, that we represent their hopes, dreams and aspirations.
“That will certainly be my goal in the coming weeks, months and years, and we will certainly carry that into the next election.”
