An organisation fighting for gender equity in Australian public and business life has dismissed the Coalition's claim that its lack of female cabinet ministers is about merit.
Prime Minister-designate Tony Abbott says he's disappointed there aren't more women in his 19-member cabinet - after selecting just one, Julie Bishop.
Melanie Fernandez, the chair of the Women's Electoral Lobby, says it's a shocking situation that has nothing to do with a lack of merit among Australia's women parliamentarians.
Ms Fernandez says the Prime Minister should actively ensure women have the same opportunities for advancement as male politicians.
"We'd be calling on Tony Abbott to put more women into those leadership roles in cabinet," Ms Fernandez told SBS Radio.
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"We believe that it is a good system to have quotas in place because it does level the playing field because there is still systemic discrimination that keeps women from taking on those leadership roles and having the same representation. And that will lead to better progression of gender equity in Australia."
Senators Maris Payne, Fiona Nash and Michaelia Cash, and MP Sussan Ley have been appointed to the outer ministry (assistant ministers) and Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells is a parliamentary secretary.
