Canberra Liberals leader flips off reporter three days out from election day

A tense press conference has sparked the ACT Opposition Leader to make a rude gesture at a reporter, in front of a camera days from an election.

The leader of the ACT Liberals has been filmed sticking the middle finger up at a journalist immediately after a press conference.

Opposition Leader Elizabeth Lee flipped the one-finger salute at reporter Ian Bushnell after a terse exchange on Wednesday, just three days before ACT election day.

The RiotACT reporter had peppered Ms Lee with questions about costings for her party’s policy.

Canberra Liberals and ACT Opposition Leader Elizabeth Lee is looking to secure her third term when the territory votes this weekend. Picture: ABC

The clip preceding Ms Lee’s middle finger shows the Canberra Liberals leader criticising the territory Chief Minister, ACT Labor’s Andrew Barr.

Mr Bushnell and Ms Lee talk over each other, the politician asks the reporter if he is finished interrupting, and the reporter asks her to answer questions about her party’s policies.

The press conference concludes shortly after.

The Opposition Leader walks a few steps, and in full view of a camera, sticks the middle finger up at Mr Bushnell and screws up her face.

A staffer of Ms Lee’s is clearly shocked for a split-second, but then Ms Lee and four associates head for the door.

The ABC reports Ms Lee and Mr Bushnell have had repeated tense interactions in recent weeks.

Elizabeth Lee says she and the reporter she flipped off ‘have a history’. Picture: Supplied. Picture: Supplied

Later on Wednesday Ms Lee said her emotions got the better of her.

“I engaged in poor behaviour that was unprofessional and I apologise,” she said.

“I have history with this journalist.

“I respect the work that journalists do, including asking the tough questions, and I think that I have demonstrated during this term that I’m willing to step up and answer tough questions.”

“I am more disappointed that my daughters may think it’s the sort of behaviour they would not expect from their mother, who I hope is going to be a role model for them,” she said.

The ACT Opposition Leader was first elected in 2016, following a legal career in the private, public and academic sectors.

Canberra Liberals took 33.8 per cent of the vote in 2020, behind ACT Labor’s 37.8 per cent.

The ACT system puts up multiple candidates from the same party in each of its five electorates. Chief Minister Barr romped home with 22 per cent of the vote among 28 candidates. Ms Lee polled third behind an ACT Greens candidate.

Originally published as Canberra Liberals leader flips off reporter three days out from election day