7am Julia Banks on what it’s like to be a woman in the Liberal Party
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May 12, 2025 Julia Banks, a former Liberal MP, shares her raw experiences as a woman navigating the political landscape. She discusses the rampant sexism and misogyny she faced, alongside the moral dilemmas that led to her departure from the Liberal Party. Banks argues that the party struggles to attract female candidates and needs to evolve to resonate with younger voters. Highlighting the rise of community independents, she emphasizes the urgent need for the Liberal Party to reconsider its approach to gender representation and modern societal values.
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Early Political Dishonesty Pressure
- Julia Banks was advised to lie about her residence to start her political career but refused to do so.
- She was told she would be a "hopeless politician" if she couldn't lie, marking her tough entry into politics.
Experiencing Sexism in Liberal Party
- Julia Banks faced extraordinary misogyny and sexism, an example was being told she'd only be given the raffle at an event.
- The sexism was overt and blatant in her experience within the party.
Leaving Liberal Party After Coup
- Julia Banks quit the Liberal Party soon after the 2018 leadership coup due to right-wing reactionary control.
- She faced media backgrounding, character attacks, and patriarchal bribes to stay, all of which she rejected.