Body Image Campaign

The Hon. A.L. McLACHLAN (14:54): I have a supplementary. Would the minister accept that it is within the capability of the government to make forceful representations to Clipsal 500, given that it underwrites the event, that grid girls no longer be part of the celebrations?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Business Services and Consumers) (14:55): I have to say I would feel pretty uncomfortable about that; I think it is a very heavy-handed way to approach this issue. As I said, I do not appreciate seeing images of young girls with very little clothing on being portrayed that particular way in public as a positive thing, but I do not believe it is my place to interfere.

I am happy to consider the issue, but I think it is a fairly heavy-handed way to approach social and cultural attitudes. It would mean, basically, that I would be asked to complain about every image I saw of a woman that did not show the respect I thought was deserved. I think that would be an incredibly unrealistic way to approach social and cultural attitudes around women.