THE Afghanistan Government now has more women in its cabinet than we do.

PM-elect Tony Abbott today named his new ministry which includes just one woman, Julie Bishop.

Meanwhile our Afghani counterparts have three women in their Cabinet. They are Work, Social Affairs, Martyred and Disabled Minister Amina Afzali, Public Health Minister Soraya Dalil and Women's Affairs Minister Husn Bano Ghazanfar.

Mr Abbott has copped criticism from Labor's Chris Bowen for the lack of women appointed.

Mr Bowen said it was a sad day in Australian politics, and said Australia has "gone backwards".

Anthony Albanese ‏tweeted "I actually thought the 1 woman out of 20 Cabinet positions might be just expectation management but it is now a reality".

Bill Shorten ‏added "Same number of women in Abbott's first Cabinet as Malcolm Fraser's #BackToTheFuture".

Mr Bowen also indicated the Labor leadership result will be announced on October 13.

Mr Abbott said his new ministry was one of the most experienced in the Coalition's history and reflects some significant promotions.

Mr Abbott announced his Cabinet and outer ministry team in Canberra, nine days after the coalition's election win over Labor.

He faced criticism from the media earlier after only naming Ms Bishop in his Cabinet, with Sophie Mirabella and Bronwyn Bishop now out.

NSW MP Bronwyn Bishop has already been announced as the next Speaker in the House of Representatives.

"I'm obviously disappointed there aren't more women in Cabinet," Mr Abbott said.

"Nevertheless there are some very good and talented women knocking on the door of the cabinet and there are lots of good and talented women knocking on the door of the ministry.

In February British Prime Minister David Cameron admitted he had not appointed enough women to his Cabinet and revealed his wife urges him to promote female talent.

Only four full members of his Cabinet are women.

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