Howard doubts gender balanced parliament

Former prime minister John Howard doesn't believe there will ever be a gender balanced parliament because of the caring role women play in society.

Mr Howard said the fact caring duties fell more significantly on women inevitably placed limits on their capacity.

"Some people may say, 'what a terrible thing to say'. It is not a terrible thing to say, it just happens to be the truth," he told the National Press Club, adding that he doesn't believe in quotas but wants to see more women enter parliament through a natural process.