Continued from page 9 candidates but Insists it will happen under the present . rank-and-file system.

Lawrence sees the 35 per cent plan as the beginning of a historic drive which will build on Australia's good record on women's rights.

But some party members have doubts about its implementation.

If it is enforced as a quota, the plan could involve forced early retirement for some male Labor MPs — a move that coy Id turn nasty. Lawrence's critics believe she is not facing up this possibility.

They warn that moves to involve more Women in politics could have an adverse effect.

Should a political party decide that certain seats should be allocated to female candidates — even if there are more experienced and popular males prepared to stand — tljen the basic structure of equal opportunity and freedom of choice for the voters becomes non-existent. critics charge.

Lawrence is seen as a potential future prime minister — a possibility that worries some on the party’s Left.

Born in 1948. Lawrence was the first woman to hold a state premiership, winning the 1990 election in Western Australia. Earlier this year. Keating convinced her to switch to federal politics and in March she won a by-election and was immediately promoted to the front benih.

She recently denied she has her sights set on either of Labor's two senior positions, those of prfme minister or deputy prime minister.

"I'm pleased in a sense to be at the forefront of moving more women Into politics, breaking down barriers.' she said. "But 1 see myself as mak ing the changes rather than necessarily being the one to take up the reins.

"I'm always looking for opportunities to improve the status and standing of won^n and I’m always willing to meet a challenge."

In the wake of Labor's move to get more women into politics. National Party deputy leader John Anderson told his party to set a target to increase the number of women in Parliament. The Nationals do not have any women MP

Anderson dismissed a set quota of women MPs degrad Ing and demeaning, because it could mean people were chosen on gender rather than on merit.

"One of the best ways to correct the perception that we don't properly encourage women is to focus on one area where I think we arc lacking -our federal parliamentary team." he said.

T believe we quite seriously should consider setting our selves objectives and possibly even a target to work towards “

JEFF CURRAN is a Sydney based freelance Journalist.