Political journalist Jennifer Bechwati slammed for questioning Anthony Albanese

A Channel 7 reporter has faced backlash for asking Anthony Albanese about one MP’s historic tweet on women’s bladders.

Political journalist Jennifer Bechwati has set her Twitter account to private after being heavily criticised for asking Anthony Albanese about Labor MP Brian Mitchell’s historic tweet made about women’s bladders yesterday.

During Saturday’s press conference, the Channel 7 reporter questioned Mr Albanese about whether it was appropriate for Mr Mitchell to joke about women not being able to control their bladders.

“We’re celebrating Mother’s Day tomorrow. Studies suggest up to about 50 per cent of women after giving birth experience (urinary) incontinence, it’s a major issue among women,” Bechwati said to the Opposition Leader.

“How is it appropriate for your member for Lyons Brian Mitchell to tweet: ‘If this debate doesn’t wrap up soon, we’re going to need mops. Women don’t do well holding on.’”

Mr Mitchell – who was elected to the seat of Lyons in 2016 – was referring to a debate at an ALP national conference in 2011 taking so long that some women might lose control of their bladders.

Mr Albanese replied to Bechwati’s question with “I hadn’t seen that tweet, when was it from?” to which she responded “2011 – still not appropriate right?”

“No, of course it’s not appropriate, of course it’s not appropriate,” Mr Albanese said.

“But that’s at a time well before he was a member of parliament. I’m sure that Mr Mitchell regrets that and it’s not appropriate.”

Labor leader Anthony Albanese said that Mr Mitchell’s comments about women were inappropriate. Picture: Liam Kidston

On May 2, news.com.au brought to light a number of Mr Mitchell’s bizarre Facebook and Twitter posts which included one about a colleague “massaging boobies”, and another saying he was “prepared to gargle balls for money” to get an iPad 2.

Mr Mitchell subsequently deleted his Twitter account and has since apologised for the comments that he made prior to becoming a member of parliament.

“I acknowledge that some of my previous comments have been insensitive,” he said. “I shouldn’t have made them and I apologise for them. I’ve now removed the comments.”

Mr Mitchell suggested Labor frontbencher Ed Husic was capable of ‘massaging boobies’ on a Facebook post.

Mr Mitchell has apologised for the insensitive comments he made previously. Picture: Supplied

However, Bechwati – who was 2020 Press Gallery Young Journalist of the Year – has since received backlash on Twitter over the question.

Media commentator Mike Carlton branded Bechwati a “half-witted little pixie” and tweeted, “Channel 7’s Jennifer Bechwati closes in… A senior Labor figure has come out in support of the White Australia policy. Mr Albanese, do you repudiate that ? Who was it and when ? (Reads from phone). John Curtin in 1941…”

A number of other users also criticised Bechwati, with one suggesting that “if they can’t dig up any decent current dirt on the Labor candidates and have to find stuff from over 10 years ago that tells us a lot about why #AlboForPM is the best choice”.

But many expressed support for the journalist.

“Reporters get asked to ask questions by newsdesks and seniors all the time,” wrote Amy Remeikis from The Guardian.

“I understand tensions are high, and we absolutely don’t always get it right, but piling on one journalist – who has done very important work previously – for one question is not the answer.

“I think there is a lot wrong with my industry. And there are things all of us in the media accept about our industry which we should question. But singling out one journalist doesn’t do anything to change it.”

One user accused Carlton of “a surprising level of misogny” over his tweet.

Justice Party founder Derryn Hinch also defended Bechwati, replying to Carlton, “She is not a ‘little pixie’, Jennifer is a serious, dedicated journo.”