Slipper 'unfit' to lead overseas party, says Liberal senator Sue Boyce

A MEMBER of an upcoming parliamentary delegation to Argentina and Canada has called for Peter Slipper to be banned from representing Australia overseas.

Gillard and Slipper

LIBERAL Senator Sue Boyce has called for stood-aside Peter Slipper to be banned from representing Australia overseas, urging his replacement as leader of an upcoming parliamentary delegation to Argentina and Canada.

The Queensland Senator, who is part of the scheduled delegation, said she was appalled at the prospect of Mr Slipper leading the trip following the emergence of sexist text messages authored by the speaker.

"I would be extremely embarrassed to represent the Australian government and the Australian people to the people of Argentina and Canada with Mr Slipper as the leader of our delegation," Senator Boyce said.

Three other parliamentarians are due to join Senator Boyce and the Speaker on the week-long bilateral trip to Argentina and a International Parliamentary Union conference in Quebec.

Parliamentary delegations from about 162 countries will attend the IPU.

Fresh text messages sent by Mr Slipper to Mr Ashby were revealed in court yesterday in which the stood-aside speaker made humiliating references to women's genitalia.

"They look like a mussell (sic) removed from its shell. Look at a bottle of mussel meat! Salty C . . ts in brine!" Mr Slipper texted to Mr Ashby.She said he should be replaced as delegation leader by Deputy Speaker Anna Burke.

The Speaker normally speaks on behalf of Australia at the conference.

"It's time Prime Minister Gillard gave us her views on whether Mr Slipper is a fit and proper person to represent Australia's values and culture overseas," Senator Boyce said.

"As Australia's leader and as an Australian woman, Ms Gillard needs to spell out what image of Australia she wants to project to the world."

Tony Abbott this morning described Mr Slipper's remarks as "gross" and "foul" as his deputy Julie Bishop told Alan Jones's breakfast radio program that Julia Gillard faced a "serious test" over Mr Slipper.

The call comes as Tony Abbott's chief-of-staff Peta Credlin ordered Coalition staffers not to attend functions held by the Speaker.

"As you may be aware, Mr Peter Slipper continues to hold hospitality events in his suite while being stood down from his role as Speaker of the House of Representatives due to serious sexual harassment allegations," she said in a message to all Coalition staff.

"Due to the fact that he is facing court over these allegations and only enjoys ongoing tenure because he is the Prime Minister's personal choice for Speaker, the shadow cabinet has asked me to provide you with their advice that it wouldn't be appropriate for any Coalition staff to attend these events."