Judge me on performance not gender: Payne

Australia's first female defence minister hopes her appointment will encourage more women to consider joining the armed forces or politics.

Marise Payne also hopes she'll be judged on her performance, not her gender.

In her first press conference since being sworn in to the role, Senator Payne said the appointment of five women to cabinet sends a strong message about gender balance in Australia and balance in leadership and decision making at the government's highest levels.