ABC journalist kicked out of Question Time for ‘showing too much skin’

A female journalist claims she has been booted from the press gallery during Question Time because her clothing is too revealing in a bizarre incident at Parliament House.

A female ABC journalist has been kicked out of Question Time for showing “too much skin” in a bizarre incident at Parliament House.

Speaker Tony Smith has been asked to investigate the incident after ABC reporter Patricia Karvelas was booted from the press gallery during Question Time today.

Ms Karvelas was wearing a blouse with sleeves when she was kicked out today — more covering than some female MPs, including former foreign affairs minister Julie Bishop, sometimes wear on the floor of Parliament.

I have just been kicked out of #QT because you can allegedly see too much skin. His insane #Auspol pic.twitter.com/51KipESXlG

— PatriciaKarvelas (@PatsKarvelas) December 3, 2018

Labor requested the Speaker investigate the incident when Question Time ended this afternoon. Mr Smith agreed to report back as soon as possible.

ABC reporter Patricia Karvelas has expressed her shock over the incident.

Liberal frontbencher Christopher Pyne told Parliament that there were dress code rules for both the House and the gallery.

Former foreign minister Julie Bishop has regularly worn sleeveless outfits in Parliament.

Julie Bishop during Question Time earlier this year.

Male reporters have been asked to leave the press gallery during the Q&A session in the past for not wearing a suit jacket but it is unusual for a female journalist to be told they cannot remain.

Ms Karvelas described the incident on social media as “insane”.

“I politely put my case that these are short sleeves,” Ms Karvelas wrote on Twitter. “I left when the attendant insisted. I think the rule is out of step with contemporary standards.”