The Liberal Party has been warned not to allow "out-of-touch" men to dictate its future as its treatment of women returns to the spotlight.
Former federal Liberal president Alan Stockdale set off a political powder keg when he told a gathering of female executives Liberal women had become "so assertive" the party might need to consider support for men.
As the Liberals reckon with an election drubbing partially driven by a drop in women's support, female members of the coalition have united to lash Mr Stockdale.
Hilma's Network co-founder Charlotte Mortlock, whose organisation supports women in the Liberal Party, is calling for action.
"Out-of-touch men continue to tarnish the party's reputation ... we can't keep allowing a disconnected membership to determine the future of the party," she told AAP on Thursday.
"No one is voting for female politicians to go into parliament and not be assertive.
"They don't want wallflowers in Canberra, they want intelligent, assertive women who are going to make a contribution to our democracy to improve our country."
Mr Stockdale, who was treasurer under ex-Victorian premier Jeff Kennett, made the comments at the NSW Liberal Women's Council meeting on Tuesday night, according to a source.
The group were discussing the need for gender quotas when the 80-year-old said words to the effect the women in the party were so assertive special rules may be needed for men to get them preselected.
He later told the Daily Telegraph he had made "a lighthearted but poorly chosen remark".
Sussan Ley, the first female leader of the federal coalition, and her deputy Ted O'Brien hit back at the comments.
"There is nothing wrong with being an assertive woman, in fact I encourage assertive women to join the Liberal Party," Ms Ley said in a statement.
"The Liberal Party must reflect, respect and represent modern Australia and that means recognising the strength, merit and leadership of the women in our ranks."
The party has tried to quietly address its "women's issue" but Ms Mortlock said it has not worked.
Gender quotas for women were "long overdue" and she urged the party to overhaul its constitution and pre-selection process.
"We need to do the reform internally and to be vocal and outspoken when things like this happen so we can prove to women that we aren't going into parliament to be apologists for men's bad behaviour," Ms Mortlock said.
The Liberals have long been accused of placing female candidates in unwinnable positions and their policies have recently failed to convince female voters.
This was laid bare in May when the party was dealt its worst-ever federal election loss, after a campaign that including the announcement of a policy requiring public servants to stop working from home.
That was blamed for alienating women voters, many of whom use the arrangement to balance their jobs with child care and other duties.
Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie told Mr Stockdale to "read the room" and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the party had lost its way.
The NSW division of the Liberals, in particular, has been in turmoil after it failed to nominate more than 140 candidates for the statewide local government elections in September.
The federal Liberals took over and appointed three figures, including Mr Stockdale and another Victorian, to oversee the party's state affairs.
Mr Albanese claimed this triumvirate had been put in charge as a result of former Liberal prime minister Tony Abbott and the desire of the party's hard right faction to banish the historically moderate leadership.
During question time in NSW parliament, Labor Premier Chris Minns noted the shadow ministry, composed of 10 women and 16 men, was "like a men's shed".
"They're going to have to install urinals," he said.
