Former prime minister John Howard says female representation in Parliament is unlikely ever to reach 50 per cent because Australian women still carry greater responsibility for the care of children.

Speaking to the National Press Club in Canberra on Wednesday, Australia's second-longest-serving prime minister said a mainstream debate about the gender breakdown of politics must recognise the fact that the capacity of women to pursue careers in Parliament is sometimes limited by their family responsibilities.

Since the July 2 federal election, women make up 32 per cent of federal MPs - comparable with countries such Canada and New Zealand.

"I don't believe in quotas, as you know, and you can talk about targets and aspirations and goals and I would like to see an natural process whereby there are more women," Mr Howard said.