Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop addresses the National Press Club in Canberra on Wednesday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has told guests at a women in media conference that she is she does not use the word "feminist".

Launching a new networking group for female journalists and communications specialists at the National Press Club in Canberra, Bishop said, "It's not because I have some pathological dislike of the term. I just don't like it. It's not part of my lexicon. It's just not. I don't think anyone should take offence from that."

The Foreign Minister's comments come the day after Australia slipped back to 24th position on the global rankings of gender equity. In 2006 it was 15th.

Australian now sits behind less developed countries like Rwanda (7th) and the Phillipines (9th).


Labor's shadow minister for women, Claire Moore, points out that the fall is largely due to the lack of number of women in cabinet.

"The Australian cabinet of 2014 belongs to the last century," Senator Moore said. "Our Parliament and the cabinet should reflect our community so women can see their concerns and aspirations reflected in government and policy."

The Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women, Michaelia Cash, countered by saying it was the Howard government that had overseen the rise to 15th in 2006.

Despite her stance as a non-feminist Bishop did dedicate time in her speech to gender discriminations saying,

"While it is greatly disappointing that gender and age discrimination continues in workplaces there are many women pushing boundaries and refusing to accept the limits placed by other others on their career aspirations."

She would not concede however that gender played a part in thee treatment received by former prime minister Julia Gillard saying Ms Gillard was "judged on her competence".

"She turned herself into a victim," she said. "That was her choice."