New South Wales parliament has more women than ever but gender parity not yet in reach

The New South Wales parliament now has seven female ministers, (from left) Sophie Cotsis, Yasmin Catley, Jo Haylen, Penny Sharpe, Rose Jackson, Courtney Houssos and Tara Moriarty.  (AAP: Bianca De Marchi)

A record 57 women will enter the New South Wales parliament this week, but the state's proportion of women lawmakers lags behind most other Australian parliaments.

At the March state election 38 women were elected to the lower house and together with the 19 women in the upper house, they bring the proportion of women in the parliament to 42 per cent.