The recent ousting of Sussan Ley by Angus Taylor as leader of the Liberal Party highlights a significant issue within the Coalition: its declining support among women voters. Data from the 2025 election indicates a growing divide in two-party preferred voting, with the Coalition attracting 9% more votes from men than women. This trend is particularly concerning for young and middle-aged female voters, only 19.8% of whom supported the Coalition, marking a worrying long-term decline.
The 2022 federal election revealed a crisis in women’s support for the Coalition, with only 32% of women casting their votes for the party. This sharp decrease can be attributed to the Morrison government’s handling of the Brittany Higgins rape allegation and its overall treatment of women. According to Griffith University, the perception of the Coalition’s treatment of women was identified as its second most significant weakness in the election, following concerns about aged care.
Labor is also experiencing a drop in women’s support, as many feel unrepresented on crucial issues such as housing and education. The Liberal Party’s voter base increasingly skews older and predominantly male, primarily within the 55+ age group. Consequently, the party relies on older voters who recall a time when it championed women’s issues, but that demographic is dwindling as younger women shift their allegiances to the left.
The legacy of misogyny within the Liberal Party, particularly during the leadership of Tony Abbott, continues to impact its reputation. Notable incidents include Abbott’s remarks likening electricity price increases to a message for “housewives” and his controversial comments regarding female candidates. His successor, Scott Morrison, similarly faced backlash for his tone-deaf responses to women’s issues, notably during the handling of the Higgins case, which ignited public outrage.
On March 15, 2021, an estimated 110,000 to 150,000 Australians participated in the March4Justice, a protest against gender inequality and violence. This unprecedented turnout reflected widespread anger over the Morrison government’s perceived neglect of women’s concerns, ultimately contributing to its electoral defeat in 2022.
Political scientist Dr. Williams remarked that the Liberal Party has “not been a frontrunner for women since the 20th century.” Furthermore, the party’s recent policies and messaging are unlikely to attract centrist women voters, especially as the rise of One Nation’s anti-feminist stance complicates the political landscape.
The voting patterns of university-educated women serve as a critical indicator of political shifts. These voters have consistently distanced themselves from both major parties, particularly the Coalition, which struggles to adapt to the evolving political climate. The existing older male voter base often resists the structural changes necessary to appeal to younger women, creating a cycle of disengagement.
Currently, four women lead the Liberal opposition: Kellie Sloane (New South Wales), Jess Wilson (Victoria), Lia Finocchiaro (Northern Territory), and Ashton Hurn (South Australia). Notably, this marks the first time women have comprised the majority of Liberal State leaders. However, the historical context reveals that in 124 years of federation, only one female conservative leader, Gladys Berejiklian, has successfully won a state election and served as premier.
The Liberal Party faces an uphill battle as the demographic landscape shifts, with Gen Z and Millennial voters now outnumbering Baby Boomers for the first time in the upcoming election. Younger voters, particularly women, are gravitating toward independents and the Greens, driven by dissatisfaction with the major parties.
Without meaningful structural reforms and genuine engagement with women’s issues, the Liberal Party risks further alienating female voters. As gender parity in parliament becomes increasingly attainable, the party’s reluctance to modernize its approach may lead to its decline in relevance. The pressing question remains: how can the Liberal Party survive when fewer than one in five young women express support for it?
