Australia’s minister for women is set to retire from politics, a major blow for the embattled minority government amid accusations it has a problem with female representation ahead of crucial national elections. Cabinet minister Kelly O’Dwyer — the latest in a string of female politicians to quit the ruling Liberal-National coalition — said Saturday she would not recontest her lower house seat at the upcoming poll, due by mid-May. Just a few months ago, O’Dwyer was reported by Australian media as warning in a closed meeting that the Liberals were widely viewed by voters as “homophobic, anti-women, climate-change deniers”. O’Dwyer — one of six women in the coalition’s 23-person frontbench — said her decision was made for personal reasons and that she wanted to spend more time with her children. Published in Daily Times, January 21st 2019.