Greens defend male Senate replacements

The Greens have defended their commitment to gender equality after replacing two women senators with men.

Robert Simms will be sworn in as a senator for South Australia on Monday to replace Penny Wright after Nick McKim replaced former leader Christine Milne in September.

"Our party has got a very strong track record on having women representing the parliament," Greens leader Richard Di Natale said of the party's representation of six men and five women.

Senator Simms later said it was a privilege to represent his state and carry on Senator Wright's good work.

He identified job creation in SA as a key issue he wants to tackle.

Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young is proud her former staffer is entering parliament.

"He will make a brilliant senator," she told reporters, acknowledging all parties had a long way to go on improving female representation.