Scarlett Johansson, Margot Robbie characters adorned Fair Work office

Sources at Fair Work familiar with jobs judge Gerard Boyce’s former office figurines collection have defended his conduct.

A Scarlett Johannson character from the anime remake Ghost in the Shell. Picture: Supplied

The “scantily clad’’ figures in the office of Fair Work deputy president Gerard Boyce scantily-clad” figurines in the office of Fair Work deputy president Gerard Boyce were miniatures of a bodysuit-clad Scarlett Johansson character and Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn from Suicide­ Squad.

Sources at Fair Work familiar with Mr Boyce’s collection defended­ his conduct on Thursday after Labor attacked him over the figurines during a Senate estim­ates hearing.

Fair Work general manager Bernadette O’Neill told the hearing that the display of the figurines, one of which she called “scantily clad’’, was inappropriate. She said Mr Boyce removed them last year after colleagues raised concerns.

Sources said on Thursday the collection consisted mainly of ­figurines from Marvel and DC films, including Robbie’s Harley Quinn in fishnets and tiny pants, and the Johansson character from anime remake Ghost in the Shell.

The Margot Robbie Harley Quinn figurine from Suicide Squad. Picture: Supplied

Mr Boyce’s collection, which he started after being given figurines as gifts while a barrister, also features­ Captain America and the Suicide Squad’s deranged villain Joker, played by Jared Leto.

The deputy president was also criticised for installing a surveillance camera in his chambers in response to photos of the figurines being taken without his knowledge. Sources said he told ­colleagues the camera was a $15 fake designed to put people off ­taking photos.

In response to the internal controversy, Mr Boyce, a former NSW manager with the Australian Mines and Metals Association, purchased a life-sized cardboard cut-out of US President Donald Trump for his ­Sydney chambers. He has since removed it.

Ms O’Neill told the estimates hearing she had seen two photos of the figurines, which she would provide to the committee.

Sources said one of the photos was of the Johansson figurine.

Ms O’Neill said the figurines were one of Mr Boyce’s hobbies, but he has denied this to colleagues. Sources also denied that he painted them, saying the figur­ines were either gifts or bought from EB Games in Sydney.

The life-size cutout of Donald Trump has been removed from Mr Boyce’s office. Picture: Supplied

AMMA chief executive Steve Knott took to social media to defend Mr Boyce, claiming ALP-­appointed commission members had displayed photos of Bob Hawke, Paul Keating, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton in their chambers.

“Can be lots of fun at Fair Work; but depends on which tribe you belon­g too (sic),” he tweeted.

Foreign Minister Marise Payne told estimates that any conduct that demeaned or disrespected women was completely unacceptable and she would raise the matter with Industrial Relations Minister Christian Porter.

A spokesman for Mr Porter said the issue was a matter for commission president Iain Ross, who has declined to comment.