Coalition MP caught swearing during press conference

A Coalition MP has apologised for dropping the f-bomb during a press conference when questioned about female representation in the Liberal Party.

Luke Howarth was appearing next to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull at a press conference in Brisbane when he was caught on microphone swearing.

In response to a question around seeing more female MPs in the Liberal National Party in Queensland, Howarth was heard to mumble 'Oh, this is f---ed".

A poker-faced Mr Turnbull replied: "We always look forward to seeing more women represented in our parliaments and that is an objective of our party. We have great

Queensland colleagues - Jane Prentice I was texting with her yesterday ... and I was with her very recently."

The audio was first aired by Sky News.

Mr Howarth later told Fairfax Media he found the question "frustrating".

"I answered at the end what I thought - particularly in my area, we have a lot of strong people running. Mark my words, at the upcoming state election, LNP women will be elected," he said.

He did admit he should not have sworn.

"What can I say? If people heard that, I'm sorry. It's a bad habit, I shouldn't do it."

According to Fairfax Media, the number of female MPs dropped to it its lowest number in 25 years after the last election.