‘Paddock Girls’ will be a part of the upcoming Phillip Island MotoGP

Despite calls from the state government to be axed from next month’s UFC blockbuster event, scantily clad “brand ambassadors” will be a part of the upcoming Phillip Island MotoGP event.

Moto GP Phillip Island 2017. Yamaha grid girls. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Scantily clad “Paddock Girls’’ will be paraded at next month’s Phillip Island MotoGP despite Premier Daniel Andrews calling for such jobs to be dumped from Aussie sport.

The Australian Grand Prix Corporation has confirmed motorcycle teams will be allowed to choose their own “brand ambassadors’’ who typically wear revealing outfits at the October 25-27 event.

The taxpayer funded motorsport showcase will also hire its own male and female ambassadors who will dress in more modest attire, alongside the paddock girls.

Australian Grand Prix Corporation spokesman Haydn Lane said it would be up to teams — who hire females to hold umbrellas for riders and stand on the Phillip Island starting grid — to decide what they wore.

“Paddock Girls” will once again be paraded at this year’s Phillip Island MotoGP. Picture: Tim Carrafa

“Many of the competing teams at Phillip Island engage team personnel to perform a range of functional roles on the grid prior to the Grand Prix,’’ he said.

“The AGPC has no responsibility for the provision of these personnel.”

Melbourne’s F1 Grand Prix was the first race in the world to replace grid girls with “grid kids” — aspiring motor racing enthusiasts aged 10-14 last year.

Melbourne Storm this year axed US-style cheer leaders in place of ‘Street Crew’ dancers and NBL outfit Melbourne United has integrated males into its courtside crowd warming troupe.

An ad for “gridgirls/promotional models’’ at last year’s MotoGP sought “bubby/outgoing’’ females aged 18-30 “with excellent … face and body” and “ability to wear and walk in heels for long days’’.

“You must be comfortable in being photographed all day, constantly being in front of TV cameras for a massive international audience,’’ it said.

Earlier this week, Daniel Andrews called for “Octagon Girls” to be axed.

But the Herald Sun this week revealed Premier Daniel Andrews and Lord Mayor Sally Capp’s calls to remove “Octagon Girls’’ from a UFC blockbuster in Melbourne next month,

And Mr Andrews doubled down by suggesting females parading in revealing clothing at sporting events was “a reflection of the past.’’

“I think the Grand Prix, boxing, a number of other sports and events have made a sensible change and one that I think reflects attitudes across the community, and I think UFC should do the same,’’ he said.

He said the UFC event was “secured to guarantee jobs” and not “for the purposes of social commentary”.

“This will be a blockbuster event but it can be a better event if UFC make the same changes that the Grand Prix have made, boxing and others,’’ he said.

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Mr Andrews — who said he would not attend the UFC event — said it was important to send “the most respectful message” to women.

Storm spokesman Paul Munnings said Victoria’s only NRL side had moved with the times.

“We want our game day experience to better reflect what is great about Melbourne’s culture today,’’ he said.

But many Herald Sun readers said females should have the right to decide what they did for work.

Sports Minister Martin Pakula said: “The UFC is considering its position”.

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Originally published as ‘Paddock Girls’ will be a part of the upcoming Phillip Island MotoGP