Charlotte Mortlock, a noted advocate for women within the Liberal Party and founder of Hilma's Network, has resigned her membership. This action follows the recent removal of Sussan Ley as the party's leader. Mortlock's departure, alongside Ley's, has reduced the number of women in the Liberal Party's House of Representatives to five.
Background and Timeline of Events
The Liberal Party recently underwent a leadership change. Sussan Ley, the party's first female leader, was replaced by Angus Taylor. This change occurred after Ley had held the leadership position for approximately nine months. Following this development, Charlotte Mortlock announced her resignation from the Liberal Party, citing "recent events" as the cause. She also indicated a departure from her role at Hilma's Network. Ley has announced her intention to resign from parliament.
February 15, 2026 (approx.): Sussan Ley is removed as Liberal Party leader, replaced by Angus Taylor.
February 15, 2026 (approx.): Charlotte Mortlock resigns from the Liberal Party.
February 15, 2026 (approx.): Sussan Ley announces her resignation from parliament.
Key Figures and Organizations
| Figure/Organization | Role |
|---|---|
| Charlotte Mortlock | Founder of Hilma's Network; Liberal Party advocate for women's representation |
| Sussan Ley | Former Liberal Party Leader; first female leader |
| Angus Taylor | Current Liberal Party Leader |
| Hilma's Network | Advocacy group aimed at increasing women's representation in the Liberal Party |
| Jane Hume | Deputy Liberal Leader |
Mortlock's Stated Reasons for Departure
In a statement shared via Instagram, Mortlock indicated that "recent events" prompted her decision to leave the party. While not elaborating on the specifics, the timing of her announcement, shortly after Ley's leadership defeat, suggests a direct correlation.
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Mortlock's departure is directly linked to the recent leadership change where Sussan Ley was removed from her position as leader of the Liberal Party.
Impact on Women's Representation
The departure of both Sussan Ley from parliament and Charlotte Mortlock from the party signifies a potential reduction in female representation within Liberal ranks. Prior to these events, the Liberal Party's House of Representatives had a small contingent of female MPs. Ley's exit specifically reduces this number. Mortlock's resignation from the party also raises questions about the future of advocacy for women within the Liberal Party.
Pre-Ley/Mortlock Departure: The number of female Liberal MPs in the House of Representatives was six (including Ley).
Post-Ley/Mortlock Departure: The number of female Liberal MPs in the House of Representatives is reported to be five.
Perspectives on Ley's Ousting and its Consequences
There appears to be concern among some within the party regarding the removal of its first female leader. Reports indicate that Ley's tenure as leader was less than a year.
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"I’m incredibly worried … here we are in 2026, and so far we’ve blown up net zero and now we think it’s a really good idea to blow up the first female leader of the party.” - Anonymous Liberal woman, cited in The Guardian.
Another viewpoint suggests that while Ley may have made errors, she was not given adequate support or "grace."
"I think the feminist faction are pretty down in the dumps." - Anonymous Liberal woman, cited in The Guardian.
Some within the party expressed support for Mortlock's decision. Maria Kovacic, a Liberal moderate and supporter of Ley, commented positively on Mortlock's social media post.
Expert Analysis
Jane Hume, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party, acknowledged Mortlock's contributions:
"Ms Mortlock has been an amazing advocate for women in the Liberal Party and she was sad to see her go." - Jane Hume
Conclusion and Implications
Charlotte Mortlock's resignation from the Liberal Party, coinciding with Sussan Ley's ousting as leader, highlights internal tensions regarding leadership and the representation of women within the party. The departure of prominent female figures raises questions about the party's commitment to gender diversity and the effectiveness of advocacy groups like Hilma's Network in achieving their objectives. The reduction in female representation in the parliament is a tangible outcome of these recent political events.
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Further developments may include a response from the party leadership regarding efforts to address concerns about women's representation. The future of Hilma's Network and Mortlock's continued advocacy outside the party structure will also be noteworthy.
Sources Used:
ABC News: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-15/charlotte-mortlock-women-liberal-party/106347176 - Reported on Charlotte Mortlock's resignation and comments from Jane Hume.
Daily Mail: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15561595/Charlotte-Mortlock-Sussan-Ley-Liberals-Angus-Taylor.html - Provided details on the leadership change, Mortlock's resignation, and the naming of Angus Taylor as new leader.
The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/feb/15/liberal-figure-charlotte-mortlock-quits-party-amid-feared-backlash-over-dumping-of-first-female-leader - Included quotes from anonymous Liberal women regarding concerns about Ley's ousting and its impact.
news.com.au: https://www.news.com.au/finance/culture/power-and-influence/womens-advocate-charlotte-mortlock-quits-liberal-party-after-sussan-ley-ousting/news-story/9a081ee5803ec0564d9016ebe2a15177 - Detailed Mortlock's resignation statement and mentioned support from Maria Kovacic.
Australian Financial Review (AFR): https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/founder-of-network-promoting-liberal-women-quits-in-protest-20260215-p5o2f3 - Provided context on Hilma's Network's founding and Mortlock's resignation statement.
