Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Immigration) Share this | Hansard source

The coalition is committed to fostering a culture within our nation where women are full and active participants in all spheres of public and private life across a wide range of decision-making positions. The coalition believes that high-level appointments of women should recognise merit and excellence rather than be based on some unilateral quota which could be intended or interpreted to placate women rather than promote excellence and advance the cause of Australian women. We hold the view that the appointment of women to boards for reasons other than merit and excellence could be counterproductive and work against the long-term interests of women. We believe that encouraging skilled and talented women to contribute to this country's decision making process is a far more effective way of increasing women's participation than relying on arbitrary quotas.

The coalition believes there is no job a woman should not aspire to. However, a woman should never be appointed to a role in an attempt to justify or satisfy an arbitrary quota or some presumed politically correct position. This is demeaning to women, and has the potential to hinder the aspirations of women and develop a second class of citizen.