Is Gold Coast G-string call really too much to bear for Abbie Chatfield?

The venom with which a community leader was attacked over raising concerns about ultra skimpy bikinis being worn off Gold Coast beaches is yet another example of the cancel culture pervading public debate in this country, writes Mark Furler

The venom with which community leader Ian Grace was attacked over raising concerns about ultra skimpy bikinis being worn off Gold Coast beaches is yet another example of the cancel culture pervading public debate in this country.

Put your head up, express a view, and you can expect to be crucified by social media influencers with morality about as substantial as the thongs Mr Grace was complaining about.

The founder and president of local charity Youth Music Venture, a finalist in the 2023 Gold Coast Australian of the Year Local Hero category and 2022 Gold Coast Volunteer of the Year, wrote to Mayor Tom Tate saying he was shocked by the number of ‘younger women parading around virtually naked’ at recent beachside family events he had attended.

Steven Cragg and Chloe Richards were among about 20 in Broadbeach in honour of #freedomofpeach, with women in skimpy swimwear and a smattering of supportive blokes in budgy smugglers. Picture Glenn Hampson

While some of his comments could have certainly been better put, many readers agreed with his suggestion that while women should be allowed to wear what they want on the beach (within reason), it wouldn’t hurt to cover up a little in other public areas.

Many women expressed the view they too were uncomfortable with younger teens in G-strings, particularly off the beach.

Media personality Abbie Chatfield was apparently so incensed by Mr Grace’s appearance on television that she took to social media to shame him.

“Imagine going on the Project to expose yourself as a misogynist,” the 28-year-old said.

“This absolute loser twerp who obviously has some sort of power complex … it’s a bit weird the amount of times he mentions being ‘forced’ to look at women’s arses and bosoms.”

In the lengthy rant, she then accuses Mr Grace of teaching children ‘victim blaming’, that women’s bodies should be policed by men, and they are innately sexual and tempting to men. What a load of nonsense.

As many of our readers said, sometimes less is more – and that applies to men as well as women. Occasionally it’s good to leave something to the imagination.