Canberra Liberals leader Elizabeth Lee on the importance of speaking out about injustice as a woman in leadership – ABC News
For Canberra Liberals Leader Elizabeth Lee, the last few weeks have been "emotionally charged".
Late last year, she decided to go public with claims she'd been sexually harrassed by former High Court Judge Dyson Heydon in 2013.
Mr Heydon has emphatically denied any allegation of sexual harrassment.
Over the past few weeks, she's been reflecting on her decision to speak out, while watching on as women have made allegations of sexual assault, sexism and misogyny at Australia's federal Parliament.
They included Brittany Higgins, a former Liberal staffer who claims she was raped by a colleague in a ministerial office.
When the March 4 Justice protest was held on the lawn of that same building, Ms Lee joined their ranks.
ABC News: Tom Maddocks
Ms Lee said those recent events had reinforced her belief in the importance of women in leadership positions telling their stories.
It was a conviction that was also galvanisedin the aftermath of her accusation against Justice Heydon, when she received an outpouring of support.
"A lot of women who I know and who I don't know, reached out to me and said 'thank you for sharing because a similar experience happened to me and made me realise I'm not alone'," she said.
"As somebody especially from a multicultural background, there is so much stigma attached to coming out and revealing that you've had an experience."
Ms Lee said she wantedto set an example forwomen from diverse backgrounds "to let them know that it's not their fault".
She said too often, people who had experienced sexual harassment or abuse blamed themselves for what had occurred.
"A lot of the time that's where it goes a self-blame game," she said.
From the start, she was aware of the significance of her appointment to the top job.
"There was a lot of interest when I was elected leader of my party. The first woman leader for my party for about 20 years, but also of the female leadership team with my deputy Giulia Jones," she said.
"I think that was really welcomed by the community."
She said she was encouraged by the fact that women were strongly represented in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
"I think it helps enormously, because the public has spoken very loudly that they want to see women in leadership roles," she said.
ABC News: Dylan Anderson
Ms Lee contends there isa big difference between the culture on Capital Hill and what happensup the road at the ACT Legislative Assembly, but she warns no workplace is immune.
"What we've been hearing is just horrific," she said.
"The other thing that we've realised from these instances that have come up is that we can't be complacent in any workplace.
"It's about making sure that our leaders, across the country, across all political parties, know that this is not limited and it's not unique to politics and that we do need to look at this very seriously across the board."
Ms Lee would notbe drawn on whether she thinks there needs to be an inquiry into the allegationagainst Attorney-General Christian Porter, but said she hassince spoken to Prime Minister Scott Morrison about issues for women in parliament.
"He himself actually raised his concerns about what was happening as well," she said.
"So I am under no delusions about the importance of what is happening, the gravity of the situation and that is why politicians from all parties have been very concerned and have expressed that concern."
Read this article:
Canberra Liberals leader Elizabeth Lee on the importance of speaking out about injustice as a woman in leadership - ABC News
- Whats Behind the Centrists Resistance to the Resistance Liberals? - The New Republic - February 18th, 2026 [February 18th, 2026]
- Liberals clash over AOC's word salad on Taiwan, arguing 'that answer was terrible and you know it - Yahoo - February 18th, 2026 [February 18th, 2026]
- Sussan Ley is todays scapegoat - but she was never the Liberals core problem | Tony Barry - The Guardian - February 18th, 2026 [February 18th, 2026]
- What the Albanese government did on the environment amid the Liberals turmoil: threatened species, a new coal project and carbon leakage - The... - February 18th, 2026 [February 18th, 2026]
- Afternoon Update: Liberals leaked immigration plan; Bondi accused appears in court; and how to grieve a pet - The Guardian - February 18th, 2026 [February 18th, 2026]
- New opposition leader Taylor wants to stop bad immigration but says Liberals arent One Nation lite - The Guardian - February 18th, 2026 [February 18th, 2026]
- The right wing has seized control of the Liberals, but the fight has just begun - Australian Broadcasting Corporation - February 18th, 2026 [February 18th, 2026]
- Entangled in words: the Vende genocide, liberals, and patriots - Contando Estrelas - February 18th, 2026 [February 18th, 2026]
- LILLEY: Liberals dead-set on attacking Jamil Jivani over effort to help with Trump - Toronto Sun - February 18th, 2026 [February 18th, 2026]
- Plotters, kingmakers and dark horses the Liberals vying for control - Australian Broadcasting Corporation - February 18th, 2026 [February 18th, 2026]
- Nanny vouchers and tax offsets floated by Liberals - AFR - February 18th, 2026 [February 18th, 2026]
- Liberals see path forward for budget bill, but Conservatives still have huge concerns with cabinet's 'regulatory sandbox' - The Hill Times - February 18th, 2026 [February 18th, 2026]
- Mainstream liberals join Soros in bankrolling group backing DC jury nullification effort - Washington Examiner - February 18th, 2026 [February 18th, 2026]
- Former President Leads Early-Election Race in Bulgaria as the Liberals Trail in Third Place, Survey Shows - Novinite.com - February 18th, 2026 [February 18th, 2026]
- Gun trainers nationwide say women and liberals are taking more interest in classes after Alex Prettis shooting - NBC News - February 11th, 2026 [February 11th, 2026]
- Gun trainers nationwide say women and liberals are taking more interest in classes after Alex Prettis shooting - NBC News - February 11th, 2026 [February 11th, 2026]
- View from The Hill: Liberals desperate for a path out of purgatory - The Conversation - February 11th, 2026 [February 11th, 2026]
- View from The Hill: Liberals desperate for a path out of purgatory - The Conversation - February 11th, 2026 [February 11th, 2026]
- Local Liberals: The Second Amendment Is for Everyone - East Lansing Info - February 11th, 2026 [February 11th, 2026]
- Matthew Lau: The Liberals weak case for a spring election - Yahoo! Finance Canada - February 11th, 2026 [February 11th, 2026]
- Several Liberals considering their options as race for leadership heats up - Australian Broadcasting Corporation - February 11th, 2026 [February 11th, 2026]
- Liberals and Conservatives trade accusations of obstruction - CBC - February 11th, 2026 [February 11th, 2026]
- If the Liberals think Angus Taylor will save them, theyre in for a shock - SMH.com.au - February 11th, 2026 [February 11th, 2026]
- Ontario Liberals opt to allow temporary residents to vote in leadership race even though federal counterpart barred them - iPolitics - February 11th, 2026 [February 11th, 2026]
- Liberals, Conservatives in behind-the-scenes talks to avoid spring election: sources - CBC - February 11th, 2026 [February 11th, 2026]
- Ontario Liberals opt to allow temporary residents to vote in leadership race even though federal counterpart barred them - QP Briefing - February 11th, 2026 [February 11th, 2026]
- Coalition support plunges, Liberals face mass resignations. Here's what multicultural voters are saying - SBS Australia - February 11th, 2026 [February 11th, 2026]
- Expect polls to determine when Liberals force early election - Brooks Bulletin - February 11th, 2026 [February 11th, 2026]
- Liberals reject Poilievres call for tax relief on GM workers severance pay - CTV News - February 11th, 2026 [February 11th, 2026]
- Liberals, Conservatives working on deals that could avoid election: sources - CBC - February 11th, 2026 [February 11th, 2026]
- Beware of anti-woke liberals: they attacked the left and helped Trump win | Jan-Werner Mller - The Guardian - February 4th, 2026 [February 4th, 2026]
- Political theatre or genuine offer to help? Conservatives show signs of wanting to cooperate with Liberals - Global News - February 4th, 2026 [February 4th, 2026]
- Stephen Harper calls for Liberals, Conservatives to come together in the face of Trump, separatist threats - CBC - February 4th, 2026 [February 4th, 2026]
- Nationals leader David Littleproud and Liberals leader Sussan Ley have failed to reunite the Coalition in time for the return of parliament. -... - February 4th, 2026 [February 4th, 2026]
- Liberals and Nationals to sit apart in parliament after David Littleproud and Sussan Ley fail to make amends - The Guardian - February 4th, 2026 [February 4th, 2026]
- How liberals lost the internet | Robert Topinka - The Guardian - February 4th, 2026 [February 4th, 2026]
- Who is Doly Begum, the Ontario NDP MPP poached to run for the Liberals in a federal byelection? - Yahoo News Canada - February 4th, 2026 [February 4th, 2026]
- Should Liberals Start Arming Themselves? - The Bulwark - February 4th, 2026 [February 4th, 2026]
- Liberals revive bill to allow health records to be shared across Canada - CP24 - February 4th, 2026 [February 4th, 2026]
- Senior Liberals downplay prospect of leadership spill and urge colleagues get on with the job - The Guardian - February 4th, 2026 [February 4th, 2026]
- Stephen Harper calls for Liberals, Conservatives to come together in the face of Trump, separatist threats - Yahoo News Canada - February 4th, 2026 [February 4th, 2026]
- Liberals announce Danielle Martin will be their candidate for University-Rosedale byelection - CBC - February 4th, 2026 [February 4th, 2026]
- Who is Doly Begum, the Ontario NDP MPP poached to run for the Liberals in a federal byelection? - National Post - February 4th, 2026 [February 4th, 2026]
- 'I never wanted to be excluded' from Quebec Liberals, Marwah Rizqy says - Montreal Gazette - February 4th, 2026 [February 4th, 2026]
- Conservative MP Jivani heads to Washington after Liberals snub offer to collaborate - Yahoo News UK - February 4th, 2026 [February 4th, 2026]
- Election data confirms what we already know: Greens don't like Liberals - Australian Broadcasting Corporation - February 4th, 2026 [February 4th, 2026]
- Make no mistake, the Liberals are already history and Labor should be worried - The New Daily - February 4th, 2026 [February 4th, 2026]
- Liberals Should Try Harder to Understand Their Adversaries - The Liberal Patriot - January 28th, 2026 [January 28th, 2026]
- The Carney Liberals find bad habits are hard to break - The Globe and Mail - January 28th, 2026 [January 28th, 2026]
- The Liberals fatal flaw was becoming Nationals-lite. Heres how they can come back from the brink | Tony Barry - The Guardian - January 28th, 2026 [January 28th, 2026]
- Shadow Immigration Minister Paul Scarr claims the Nationals and Liberals have a moral obligation to come together. - Facebook - January 28th, 2026 [January 28th, 2026]
- Liberals tout food inflation relief as think tank flags hidden tax hit on working seniors - play1037.ca - January 28th, 2026 [January 28th, 2026]
- Liberals say more than 22,000 government-banned guns declared in first week of 'buyback' launch - National Post - January 28th, 2026 [January 28th, 2026]
- Greens to thrash out coalition proposal but Liberals can't be trusted, warns member - region.com.au - January 28th, 2026 [January 28th, 2026]
- Liberals agree to hit pause on hate crimes bill and prioritize tougher bail bill - Canada's National Observer - January 28th, 2026 [January 28th, 2026]
- Worst food price inflation in the G7: Pierre Poilievre grills Liberals on rising grocery prices - Global News - January 28th, 2026 [January 28th, 2026]
- Conservatives have 'charted a path' for 'some common ground' with Liberals: Scheer - CBC - January 28th, 2026 [January 28th, 2026]
- Opinion | Liberals have to reckon with the limits of protests - The Boston Globe - January 22nd, 2026 [January 22nd, 2026]
- 90% OF CONSERVATIVES AND 62% OF LIBERALS AGREE: PROVE CITIZENSHIP TO VOTE New polling shows requiring proof of citizenship before voting has massive... - January 22nd, 2026 [January 22nd, 2026]
- Reevaluating the New Liberals, with Henry Tonks - Niskanen Center - January 22nd, 2026 [January 22nd, 2026]
- Ben Mulroney isn't a 'right-wing reactionary,' but he thinks the Liberals 'cynically' used Canadians' fears of Trump last election - Yahoo Lifestyle... - January 22nd, 2026 [January 22nd, 2026]
- The optics are diabolical for Liberals and Nationals, as chaos reigns on a supposed day of mourning - Australian Broadcasting Corporation - January 22nd, 2026 [January 22nd, 2026]
- View from The Hill: defiant Nationals break with Liberals over hate bill, putting strain on Coalition - The Conversation - January 22nd, 2026 [January 22nd, 2026]
- It's over for the Liberals. Soon something better will rise. They did this to themselves. United Australia Party - Facebook - January 22nd, 2026 [January 22nd, 2026]
- Moderates and quota queens have driven me to quit the Liberals - dailytelegraph.com.au - January 22nd, 2026 [January 22nd, 2026]
- No new nursing home plans have been approved since Liberals formed government - CBC - January 22nd, 2026 [January 22nd, 2026]
- Lahren: White Liberals Just Automatically Assume They Speak For Everybody - FOX News Radio - January 22nd, 2026 [January 22nd, 2026]
- Coalition split as it happened: Littleproud says Nationals cannot be part of a shadow ministry under Sussan Ley before announcing split with Liberals... - January 22nd, 2026 [January 22nd, 2026]
- Opinion - White liberals are Jasmine Crocketts biggest obstacle to the Senate - Yahoo - January 20th, 2026 [January 20th, 2026]
- View from The Hill: Liberals tick off deal on hate crime measures - The Conversation - January 20th, 2026 [January 20th, 2026]
- New Year, Same Deadlock: Liberals and Conservatives Tied as Trump Re-Emerges and Voters Stay Cautious - Abacus Data - January 20th, 2026 [January 20th, 2026]
- Liberals return to pre-selection in Ripon - The Weekly Advertiser - January 20th, 2026 [January 20th, 2026]
- Opinion: A pilot for Canadas gun buyback was a failure. The Liberals are committing anyway - The Globe and Mail - January 18th, 2026 [January 18th, 2026]
- Moral arguments about care and fairness persuade both liberals and conservatives - Stockholms universitet - January 18th, 2026 [January 18th, 2026]
- Politicising Bondi backfires for Liberals who got what they asked for - Australian Broadcasting Corporation - January 18th, 2026 [January 18th, 2026]
- Tasha Kheiriddin: The Liberals are well aware gun-grab is all for show that's the point - National Post - January 18th, 2026 [January 18th, 2026]
- GOLDSTEIN: Liberals tough talk on Iran today follows years of inaction - Toronto Sun - January 11th, 2026 [January 11th, 2026]
- Hill liberals push for shutdown clash over ICE funding but face resistance in Democratic ranks - CNN - January 9th, 2026 [January 9th, 2026]
- Conservatives and liberals tend to engage in different evidence-gathering strategies - PsyPost - January 9th, 2026 [January 9th, 2026]
- Passage of safety ordinance is best bet for pedestrians, motorists and liberals - Columbia Missourian - January 9th, 2026 [January 9th, 2026]