Gillard lacked authority as PM: Howard

Julia Gillard lacked authority as prime minister because of the way she rose to the top job, her predecessor John Howard says.

Mr Howard said she was never able to exercise authority because she was constantly justifying her role in the unseating of Kevin Rudd.

"The most important thing that a prime minister has is not popularity but authority," the former prime minister told the Seven Network on Sunday.

Mr Howard described as nonsense Ms Gillard's famous misogyny speech, in which she lashed out in parliament at the alleged sexism of then opposition leader Tony Abbott.

"The idea that Tony Abbott is anti-women is ridiculous," he said.

"I think it's the worst possible way of promoting a greater involvement by women in public life ... to play the misogyny card."