Abbott names just one female minister

Prime minister-elect Tony Abbott has rekindled the sexism accusations that have dogged his political career by naming only one woman — foreign minister Julie Bishop — to the 19-member cabinet that will be sworn into government tomorrow.

Six women are among the 42 executive members of government named by Abbott yesterday: Bishop, the deputy leader of the ruling Liberal Party, and five women who will serve in lower ministries or as parliamentary secretary.

Abbott, a 55-year-old former Roman Catholic seminarian, battled perceptions of sexism to lead his conservative coalition to an election victory on Sept 7. His government is likely to hold 90 seats in the 150-seat House of Representatives.