Tony Abbott has not even been sworn in as Prime Minister yet, but he is already under fire from his own side over a cabinet line-up that includes just one woman.
The new Foreign Minister Julie Bishop is one of six women in the 42-strong ministry but the only woman in Cabinet.
Mr Abbott admits it is far from perfect but he says all MPs need to earn their right to promotion.
But past and outgoing female Liberal senators have protested loudly on their behalf.
"I think it's shocking and I think it's embarrassing, and it's not just embarrassing nationally but I think it's embarrassing internationally," Senator Sue Boyce, who will retire next July, said.
