‘To be judged on the content of our character and not the colour of our skin’ – that was one of the dreams of the great Martin Luther King Jr. We have progressed a great deal since MLK delivered his famous speech, yet in many respects, it seems we’ve made no progress at all – and ironically, the progressive-left is more often than not to blame.

So it was refreshing to observe last month that Australia’s shadow federal Treasurer Angus Taylor ruled-out gender quotas in the Liberal Party. There are some brilliant female MPs and senators in the party, and no doubt, there will be many more in years to come. But mandating quotas is antithetical to liberty and equality – at least the kind MLK envisioned. To progress as a society, we have to treat individuals equally and without any preferential treatment.

Still, some say we need quotas to stabilise and ‘even out’ the numbers in organisations and institutions. Here are three significant reasons why such arguments should be vehemently opposed:

Quotas can lead to resentment and self-doubt, as people question whether they earned their job or were hired simply to tick a box.

Consider this hypothetical example of Alice and Sarah. Alice is highly competent, she is well respected for her intellect, coupled with a powerful work ethic. She is promoted to a more senior role based upon her abilities. On the other hand, Sarah, although a valued employee, is not quite as efficient and effective in the workplace relative to Alice. However, it is decided by their workplace management that to fulfil quotas, Sarah will be elevated to the same seniority as Alice; despite having less experience and less suitability for the role. As one might expect, Alice is infuriated as this appears to her to conflict with the interests of true equality, for she has earned her position while Sarah is being promoted for management to tick a box (and meet their diversity and inclusion KPI’s). Why strive to work hard at all if that’s not what your boss is going to value?

Quotas may have a ‘gaslighting’ effect.

Following on from the first hypothetical example above, quotas may lead to uncertainty regarding whether one has rightfully earned their post. Sarah, while not being explicitly advised that she is being moved up the ranks to fill a quota, is suspicious of her promotion. While delighted on the one hand to take a pay rise; being highly self-aware, she also feels uncomfortable with the situation as she is unsure whether or not her performance has justified the outcome. Sarah overhears co-workers making snarky comments behind her back claiming she was only promoted to fill the new quota targets.

Naturally, self-consciousness and anxiety about her performance take hold. How can she take pride in her work when she’s unsure she’s earned her position? It is not fair to her, it is not fair to her co-workers, and it is not at all in the interest of equality more broadly.

They may lead to a lack of productivity.

A company’s number one priority must be turning a profit. Hiring based on identity is far less productive than hiring the best person for the job, whoever they may be. This is the essence of meritocracy: a system in which people are appointed to their posts based upon merit. In its true form, it looks beyond the race; religion; class; gender etc., of an individual, and focuses merely upon their competency to do a job effectively.

In summary, equality of opportunity is far more vital than equality of outcome. Thankfully, the National Party’s frontbench has demonstrated true egalitarian leadership by prioritising the former. You can have equal representation while retaining meritocracy. In the words of David Littleproud, the Nats’ 50/50 gender split is not because of any quota, it is ‘because of talent’ and ‘an environment whereby women are given the opportunity to stand up and feel encouraged to stand up’. Such an environment is both fair and diverse.

Angus Taylor made the right call. Women are equal with men and deserve to be treated as such. A quota undermines this and is insulting to competent women. Following the inspiration of MLK, let’s look not to gender quotas, but to character, and indeed, to competence.

Mark Burgess is a contributor for Young Voices Australia.