Former prime minister John Howard has called for more women to join the Liberal Party's parliamentary ranks, while speaking at an exclusive club that doesn't allow female members.

His comments came after complaints about "bullying" of women in the party and fears it was failing to recruit enough women to fight the next election.

Former prime minister John Howard speaking at the Australian Institute for Progress event.

Launching his new book at Brisbane's men-only Tattersall's Club on Friday, the respected Liberal Party elder said he did not believe in quotas for female representation in parliament.

"Having said that, I would like to see more women in the House of Representatives on our side of politics," Mr Howard said.