WESTERN Sydney based Senator Marise Payne, Minister for Defence, has been named as the fourth most powerful woman in the country.

Senator Payne claimed position number four in the Australian Women’s Weekly Power List, which is published annually.

Joining the Liberal Party in 1982, Senator Payne has been an inspiring role model for women in politics, racking up some impressive history making female- firsts during her political career.

She was the first female Federal President of the Young Liberals and she is also Australia’s first female Defence Minister.

Senator Payne also claimed the highest number of votes of all NSW senate candidates in the 2016 federal election.

The number one spot on the Power List went to Senator Payne’s colleague, Julie Bishop, the Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party and the Minister for Foreign Affairs.