Liberals must keep up women push: minister

Australia's new minister for women says the Liberal party can't afford to stop focusing on getting more women into its parliamentary team.

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Women Marise Payne

New Minister for women, Marise Payne, says keeping women safe is a high priority. (AAP)

Keeping women safe, ensuring they have economic opportunities at their fingertips and achieving "genuine" gender equality are goals in the sights of Australia's new minister for women.

Marise Payne also believes her party must maintain its efforts to boost the number of women who sit on its parliamentary benches.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison revealed on Sunday the senator would pick up the women's portfolio, in addition to her work as minister for foreign affairs, following Kelly O'Dwyer's resignation at the election

Asked about her priorities in the new job, Senator Payne highlighted the importance of securing economic opportunities for women.

The brutal murder of Melbourne woman Courtney Herron on the weekend has sharpened her focus on women's safety.

"We have been only too tragically reminded in the last couple of days - again in Melbourne with the appalling murder of Courtney Herron - that the safety of women is something that must concern us all," she told ABC Radio National on Monday.

The minister also plans to use her dual roles to pursue "genuine" gender equality, both at home and overseas.

But she acknowledges there is still work to do in the Liberal Party.

A spate of coalition women will be among newcomers in the 46th parliament, but women make up just over a fifth of the party's MPs and senators.

"We have to continue to work on this. It's not a 'turn up at the election and decide what you're going to do' matter," Senator Payne said.

"It's a matter that we have to work at consistently within our parties, across Australia, to ensure that we have great women standing for selection, great women able to be elected to key seats across the country and that is certainly going to be a priority of mine."


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Source: AAP


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