A Critical Analysis of Quota Systems: Australia and India Compared

This essay undertakes a critical comparative analysis of quota systems within the Australian Parliament and the Indian Reservation system. The essay begins by outlining the arguments for and against quota systems, referencing the views of prominent figures such as Chris Wallace, Chris Urquhart, and Dame Beryl. It highlights the evolution of gender equality initiatives in Australia, including the National Gender Equality Strategy and the Labour party's quota policies, alongside the challenges faced by women in politics. The essay then turns to India, examining the reservation system's impact on social and economic equality, particularly for lower-income groups and marginalized communities. It explores the debates surrounding the reservation system in education and government jobs, considering arguments from authors like Sushil Verma. The essay concludes by summarizing the need for changes in both systems, acknowledging the progress made while emphasizing the need for further reforms to promote equality and address societal challenges. The essay also provides an overview of the arguments for and against the quota system and the reservation system. Furthermore, the essay also highlights the challenges faced by both the countries, with the help of several references.

Running Head: MANAGEMENT 0
Quotas system in Australian parliament and Indian Reservation system

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Quotas system in Australian parliament and Indian Reservation
system
In every country, quota system is being used
in order to bring several changes [1]. These
changes are benefitting positively as well as
negatively to the various people in country.
Chris Wallace stated in favour of quotas. It
stated that quotas have brought several
significant changes in the labour member of
parliament. The mass number of women also
started contributing in the parliament. It also
said that quotas are part of political life. By
arguing on this statement, Chris Urquhart said
that there should not be any quota system.
Tickets will be given to those who deserve the
most. As compare to this, around half of the
population in labour politics are women that
did not happen by chance [2]. It happened
just because party also recognised that it had
the same problem.
As compare to above arguments, Dame Beryl
who was the chairman of “Federal Women’s
Committee of Liberal Party of Australia”
stated that women should be homemakers. In
recent time, Australia labour party has also
introduced the National Gender Equality
strategy. It is released for ending the violence
against women. It has also spent around six
years in order to develop the gender equality
policy. In the year 2019, Liberal-National
Coalition has secured the majority of votes
[3].
It also argued that in the year 2012, share of
women in parliament has also reached 21.8%.
It is required to changes. Labour party has
also taken the initiative to adopt the action
policy. Under this policy, it sets the required
quota of around 40 per cent for the women. It
is pre-decided in the winnable seats. By the
year 2025, it has decided to complete the
target of 50 per cent seats for the women in
parliament. In the past few years, Australia
labour policy also provides the training to
every women member throughout its
branches. The main objective of this training is
to enhance women's skill in media
engagement, campaigning, public speaking,
fundraising, and meeting procedures [4].
Amy Remeikis stated his viewpoint in the
article. It has thrown light on the Liberal
Party’s gender war. Women hold around 20 of
the Liberal party’s 68 seats in both the houses
of Australian Parliament. It has also said that
this number can drop in the next election.
Several women’s problem also come in front
including harassment allegation, and sex
scandal. As compared to this, Reynolds has
argued that many times quota system has led
to the around 50 per cent of the women
representative. It did not help and assist in
creating cultural change. It is against the
quota system. The perception behind the non-
quota system is that women will revert

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properly what they were once. Liberal have
also argued against making the increment in
the minimum wages that benefit the women.
Several changes are also explained for the
quota system in the Australian Parliament.
Regarding this, Australian Parliament also
made several changes over time. Besides this,
it also made progress in accommodating
parents. Under this change over time,
Parliament house will have the breastfeeding
room as well as childcare services for the new
mothers. This change is made by keeping the
idea in mind that female politicians not only
need the supportive workplace but the
supportive families. However, most of the
political parties in Australia have improved by
increasing the per cent of women in house of
representative. Besides this, it is also found
that Australia is proud of making the
significant moves toward bringing the
significant moves toward the equality for
women.
Similarly, India also has reservation system for
the people who are below the economic
scale. The main idea of this system is also to
bring equality among people [5]. In recent
time, the new public sector quota also
expected to provide the advantages to upper
class in the Indian society. The reservation
system includes those people whose annual
income is below 8,00,000. For this system,
almost all the political parties have supported.
For the Hindu religion, Indian government has
taken the affirmative action for the upper
caste. In this regard, Modi has stated that
every people have come in the world with
empty plate.
In this regard, Narayan Ramachandran argued
that India still needs some more women
parliamentarians. It states that India ranked at
the number 153 out of the 190 nations [6]. In
May 2014, India had 65 women out of 545
members. it has also stated that India is facing
several challenges. Reservation system is also
one such challenge in India. In the political
system also, reservation system is at peak in
India. In recent time, Indian Government has
brought several changes in India. Though this,
government has declared the 10 per cent
quota in the education and government jobs
for the weaker section of the society. This bill
was passed in the parliament. India author
named Sushil Verma argued for the
reservation system. It stated that reservation
does not promoted the effectiveness in higher
education. It still requires the changes in
model. Social discrimination is felt by the
Indian society. Several changes are also
explained for the quota system in the
Australian Parliament. Regarding this,
Australian Parliament also made several
changes over the time. Besides this, it also
made progress in accommodating parents.
Under this change over time, Parliament
house will have the breastfeeding room as
well as childcare services for the new
mothers. This change is made by keeping the

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idea in mind that female politicians not only
need the supportive workplace but the
supportive families.
Many authors have also argued for the
reservation system in India by stating that
reservation should be totally removed from
the constitution. This will also help India to
become strong nation. However, the Indian
government brings several changes over the
passage of time. The reservation system has
also made problem for the general category
of Indian society [7]. It is because jobs and
educations are given on the basis of caste
category. Several authors have also criticised
the statement by saying that if all the persons
are born with similar mind set then required
to be no differentiation.
In addition, there is been seen improvement
in education policies related to schedule cast
and Schedule tribes, however, some unfair
practices are mistreated with the general
category students. For instance, the
institution fund sanctioned by the central
government is not been divided appropriately
between general category and SC category
people and this reservation highly impact on
some people. With regards to this, children’s
who belong to low income group category
and belong to general category are not able to
apply for higher studies due to such
inappropriate division. In India, there is also a
reservation system in jobs with relation to
selection criteria. For instance, if in the
government jobs the minimum age for the
candidate is 35 for general category to be
selected but for the SC/ST candidates; the
minimum age will be 41.
In relation for Australia, the country political
system has been contradicted for years
related to the issue of gender equality [8],
however, now it is improved with the
different practices of Australian political
parties. It was also noted that majority of
Australia women are in favor of gender rules
to get more female MPs elected with an
efforts to boost pay in the industry with better
access to the services. In addition, Australians
were not opposed to female leadership and
women and men also show distinctly different
attitudes to the idea of mandating wage
increases in traditionally female-dominated
sector [9]. Australia has heard the message
about the value of gender diversity in
boardrooms and leads to better outcomes for
shareholders. In Australian politics the issue of
quotas has exploded on to the agenda
following the criticism related to scourge of
cultural and gender bias and warned
treatment of women in parliament [10].
Hence, there are various criticism of merit,
quotas and targets and so forth regarding the
number of women in relation to different
approaches.
In the limelight of above discussion, it can be
concluded that Australian Parliament as well
as Indian Reservation system requires several

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changes. The changes will help both the
countries in various significant manners.
There are still various number of seats in
contention that follows the Australian
election. It will also help in changing the
gender balance.

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