Despite achieving gender parity in its caucus, the Australian Labor Party has not had a female leader in over a decade, and women are notably absent from discussions about who might succeed Anthony Albanese. This oversight persists even as Tanya Plibersek, the Member for Sydney, is set to become the longest-serving woman in the House of Representatives in Australian history.
Plibersek's Long and Distinguished Career
Tanya Plibersek has held senior cabinet and shadow cabinet roles since 2004, serving as deputy leader to Bill Shorten between 2013 and 2019. She is one of the most recognisable politicians in the country, with a career spanning over two decades. Yet, in conversations about Labor's next leader after Albanese, Plibersek barely registers, nor do any other women.
This is despite the fact that Labor women now outnumber men in the caucus, a milestone achieved through affirmative action and sustained advocacy. The party's internal rules mandate that women hold at least 40% of seats, but the actual representation has surpassed this, with women making up a majority of the parliamentary party.
The Leadership Contender Conundrum
Political reporter Krishani Dhanji, in a discussion with Rafqa Touma on the Full Story podcast, explores why it has been so long since a woman led the Labor party. The last female leader was Julia Gillard, who served as Prime Minister from 2010 to 2013. Since then, the leadership has been held by men, and the current deputy leader, Richard Marles, is often tipped as a potential successor to Albanese.
Dhanji notes that the lack of female contenders is not due to a lack of talent or experience. Plibersek, for instance, has been a prominent figure in health, education, and social services portfolios. Other women, such as Penny Wong, the Foreign Minister, and Jim Chalmers, the Treasurer, are frequently mentioned in leadership speculation, but Wong is often seen as unlikely to seek the top job, and Chalmers is male.
Systemic Barriers and Unconscious Bias
Experts point to systemic barriers and unconscious bias as key factors. Despite formal equality, women in politics often face higher scrutiny, double standards, and are judged more harshly on their leadership potential. A 2021 study by the Australian National University found that female politicians are more likely to be portrayed in the media based on their appearance and personal lives, rather than their policy positions.
Furthermore, the internal dynamics of the party, including factional negotiations and the influence of union backers, can disadvantage women who may not have the same networks or support structures. The 'mates club' culture, while evolving, still persists in some quarters, as noted by former senator and minister, Kate Ellis, in her memoir.
The Impact of Underrepresentation
The underrepresentation of women in leadership has tangible consequences. Policies that disproportionately affect women, such as childcare, paid parental leave, and domestic violence prevention, may not receive the attention they deserve. A study by the Inter-Parliamentary Union found that countries with higher female representation in parliament tend to have more comprehensive legislation on these issues.
Labor's gender parity in caucus is a positive step, but it has not translated into leadership roles. This disparity sends a message to young women and girls that while they can enter politics, the highest echelons of power remain elusive.
What Needs to Change
To address this, the party may need to implement more proactive measures, such as leadership quotas or targeted mentorship programs. Some have suggested that the party's rules should be amended to ensure that the leadership team includes at least one woman, or that a woman be given the first opportunity to contest the leadership if it becomes vacant.
As Plibersek herself has said in the past, 'It's not enough to have women in the room; we need women at the table where decisions are made.' The onus is on the party to ensure that its commitment to gender equality extends beyond the backbench and into the leadership suite.
