Another day, another female Liberal MP announces they intend to resign at the next election. This time it is Ann Sudmalis, the member for the ultra-marginal seat of Gilmore who is refusing to re-contest her seat, citing internal party drama and bullying as the reason.

This news couldn’t have come at a worse time for the Liberal party. A staunch refusal by members to consider instituting gender quotas or targets for MPs have led to accusations of institutional sexism in the party. Given that in the next parliament, it is likely that less than five female Liberals will remain in Parliament, the sexism question is one worth asking. Does it also apply to Ann Sudmalis’s situation?

Tess spoke to Dr Stewart Jackson from the University of Sydney about the implications of this resignation for the federal Liberal party.