".... A cabinet selected on ability, not affirmative action...."

Which sounds reasonable - until one notes the dolts chosen : )

Here's another take on the exclusive men's club.

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/photogallery/federal-politics/cartoons/david-pope-20120214-1t3j0.html

Both Keating and Howard had only a small number of
women in their first cabinets. Kevin Rudd set a new
standard with 4 women in his first cabinet, and all
of them undoubtedly got there on merit. Julia Gillard
followed suit with her cabinet choices.

One can argue that over the 4 years that
Tony Abbott was opposition leader he made virtually
no changes to his shadow ministry. As one commentator
pointed out on the web, "this was mostly to convey a
sense of stability to the voting public. It appears that
Abbott is determined to continue this sense of stability by
making minimal changes in appointing his new cabinet."

Now whether you buy this or not it does seem logical that
this makes for continuity as well. "The new ministers will be
familiar with the ins and outs of portfolios they've been
shadowing for several years."

What will be interesting to see is who Mr Abbott appoints to
his outer ministry and as parliamentary secretaries, as well as
how he will foster and promote talented female parliamentarians
over time.

One can only hope that future cabinets will be more representative
of the Australian population they're there to govern.

Girls,
Even old Gough only had one female I his first cabinet.

How about naming the female MPs that, on merit, should be in the cabinet.

Yeah Rudd and Gillard had some female Cabinet members but that obviously did not improve the standard of governance.

By the way, I continue to be impressed with Julie Bishop, she shows skill and ability, and common sense.

Dear Banjo,

Penny Wong, Nicola Roxon, Tanya Plibersek, to name
just a few, didn't just deal with women's issues
and they certainly didn't speak as a female block
they made cabinet more representable of the Australian
population they're there to govern. And govern they did.
The amount of good legislation that was passed for the
good of the nation - speaks for itself -
and history will judge fairly.

As for appointing females on merit in the Liberal Party?
Things do need to change for women in politics.
Under the guise of "useful experience" women are given
every opportunity to stand for unwinnable seats at elections.
Those who get into Parliament find it difficult to become
Ministers or to get into Cabinet. In spite of incessant
rhetoric about equal opportunity the mass of male Parliamentarians
find it diffcult to equate women with positions of power.
Many talented women are now seeking to enter politics
via influential positions in the public service, where
discrimination is waning, rather than through the tedious
and hypocritical process of pre-selection and elections.

It will be interesting to see who Mr Abbott appoints to
his outer ministry and as parliamentary secretaries.
And whether he will and how well he will - foster and promote
talented female parliamentarians over time. Kelly O"Dwyer,
Teresa Gambaro, just to name two, come to mind.

Foxy,
The names you give first up are NOT incoming government members, they are members of the previous failed Labor government. That government was removed because of incompetence, hardly a recommendation for appointing female ministers.

You do not name any female MP of the incoming government that, in your opinion, is deserving of a ministerial position.

There may be a few that will show potential for future appointment which will be interesting to see.

.....Penny Wong, Nicola Roxon, Tanya Plibersek

Foxy, penny Wong made a ONE HUNDRED BILLION DOLLAR ERROR in her figures.

Now to put this into prospective, SHE WAS MINISTER FIR FINANCE.

Tanya Plebersek, was she not the first one to start the blame game on election night?

....How about naming the female MPs that, on merit, should be in the cabinet.

Yes Banyo, pretty much my question at the start.

Let's see how long it takes for them to name a few.

Let's face it, Julia Gillard, Anna Bligh and Penny Wong haven't actually been pioneers for women in parliament.