Alan Stockdale’s ‘assertive women’ comment sparks outrage from senior female political leaders

Senior female political leaders have condemned remarks made by a Liberal Party elder about the assertiveness of women in the organisation.

Former federal president Alan Stockdale, 80, reportedly claimed women had become “so assertive” the party might need to consider support for men.

“The women in this party are so assertive now that we may needs some special rules for men to get them preselected,” he told a meeting of the NSW Liberal Womens’ Council, the Daily Telegraph reported on Thursday.

Mr Stockdale, who was treasurer under ex-Victorian premier Jeff Kennett, made the remarks at the womens’ executive gathering on Tuesday and later told the Telegraph he had made “a lighthearted but poorly chosen remark”.

But that didn’t stop senior Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie and former Labor Premier for Queensland Anna Palaszczuk from joining forces to condemn his remarks.

“Honestly, Alan, read the room,” Senator McKenzie told Nine’s Today show on Thursday.

“It was a shocking comment - I think it’s time for Alan to head back to the Melbourne Club, have a stiff whisky and chat with the old boys about what went wrong.”

Ms Palaszczuk said she couldn’t believe it.

“You’ve finally got one step forward for the Liberal Party with Sussan Ley being elected (federal leader), and it’s three steps backwards with these comments,” she told Today.

“These are not appropriate in this day and age, and honestly, the Liberal Party needs a good hard look at themselves, especially the men.”

Senator McKenzie said she was on a “unity ticket” with Ms Palaszczuk over Mr Stockdale’s remarks.

During the federal election campaign, the Liberal party announced a policy requiring public servants to stop working from home.

It was blamed for alienating women voters, many of whom use working from home to balance their jobs with child care and other duties, ahead of Labor romping home to government.

Deputy opposition leader Ted O’Brien also questioned Mr Stockdale’s comments, appealing to strong women to join the Liberals.

“To any of the assertive women out there, the Liberal Party is your party,” he told ABC’s News Breakfast on Thursday.

“We need more women engaging with our party, running for our party.

“I’m proud to have Sussan Ley as our leader.”Sussan Ley also responded to Mr Stockdale’s remarks, saying, “There is nothing wrong with being an assertive woman, in fact I encourage assertive women to join the Liberal Party. The Liberal Party must reflect, respect and represent modern Australia and that means recognising the strength, merit and leadership of the women in our ranks”