Annastacia Palaszczuk accused of sexism during parliamentary exchange

Annastacia Palaszczuk has insisted she was misinterpreted after being accused of making a sexist remark in parliament over selfies with two LNP MPs. VOTE IN OUR POLL

Annastacia Palaszczuk has been accused of making a sexist remark during a heated exchange in parliament over selfies on Thursday, with the Opposition urging the Premier to apologise.

Ms Palaszczuk has staunchly denied the accusation, saying she was astonished her comments had been misinterpreted.

The Premier was responding to a question on social housing from Surfers Paradise MP John-Paul Langbroek during Question Time, which she referenced social media photos featuring Mr Langbroek, MP Sam O’Connor and three women sitting in the Speaker’s chair on Wednesday night.

The photo posted on Surfers Paradise MP John-Paul Langbroek’s Instagram page.

“I enjoyed looking at the member’s photos he posted this morning of his late-night rendezvous, sitting in the Speaker’s chair,” she said.

One of the women in the photo was Tamika Smith of My Bella Casa, who had been invited by Mr O’Connor to watch his speech on the tragic death of Queensland mum Kelly Wilkinson.

Ms Smith was behind efforts to get the children of domestic violence victim Ms Wilkinson a new home.

Ms Palaszczuk’s remark prompted a fiery response from the Opposition, with several MPs calling out the women were there in support of action on domestic violence.

A spokeswoman for the Premier said Ms Palaszczuk’s “comments were about the lack of respect for the Speaker’s chair by a Member of Parliament”.

“The Premier did not mean any offence and is astonished anyone would interpret what she said as referring to anything other than respect for the Chamber,” she said.

The spokeswoman noted the comment was made during Question Time, and Ms Palaszczuk had later withdrawn the comment when a Member raised concerns.

But the issue dominated much of the remainder of parliament on Thursday, with multiple LNP MPs calling on the Premier to apologise.

Currumbin MP Laura Gerber called the comments “disgraceful (and sexist)”.

“Tamika is a fierce advocate for women and children fleeing domestic violence,” she said.

“Stop judging us on our looks.”