Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull underlined the need to add more female ministers to the cabinet but pointed out it would only be possible if the number of women MPs increases. The prime minister’s view on the representation of women in the cabinet came following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s decision to make equal gender representation at the cabinet.

Turnbull made headlines in September not only for ousting Tony Abbott from the post of Australia’s prime minister but also for strengthening the number of women in the cabinet. He not only appointed Australia’s first ever female Defence minister, Marise Payne, but also a whole new team of female ministers in different departments.

Although the number of women in the cabinet was increased from two to five in September’s cabinet reshuffle, it is still far from being considered for equal representation of men and women.

"In an ideal world you would have 50-50, but we don't have 50-50 men and women in the parliament," Turnbull told the ABC radio in Melbourne on Thursday. "The fundamental problem at the root of the issue is this: there are not enough women in the House of Representatives [and] in the Senate."

He pointed out the need for political parties to come forward and encourage more women to take part in the pre-selection. He also said that Australia also needs more female role models.

"In my government, we have the first woman defence minister, Marise Payne. We have the first woman to be the minister for revenue, the Assistant Treasurer in Kelly O'Dwyer. What a great role model she is. She has a young baby, a nursing mother and she is in charge of the whole tax system," Turnbull said.

Even though Trudeau’s new cabinet comprising of 50 per cent women has drawn much attention worldwide, it is still not free from debates. The most prominent argument is that whether it was justified to choose gender over merit.

Contact the writer at feedback@ibtimes.com.au, or let us know what you think below.

RELATED STORIES