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Australian journalist says she was kicked out of parliament for 'showing too much skin'

Journalist Patricia Karvelas was asked to leave Question Time in Parliament because of her outfit.
Journalist Patricia Karvelas was asked to leave Parliament because of her outfit (pictured). (Photo: Twitter/PatsKarvelas)

A journalist says she was kicked out of Australia’s parliament for showing too much skin.

Patricia Karvelas, who works for Australian Broadcasting Corporation, tweeted about the incident on Monday afternoon.

“I have just been kicked out of #QT [question time] because you can allegedly see too much skin,” she wrote. Karvelas also shared a photograph of herself wearing a jumpsuit with a short-sleeved white top featuring lace detailing and attached black pants.

“I politely put my case that these are short sleeves,” she continued. “I left when the attendant insisted. I think the rule is out of step with contemporary standards.”

Karvelas spoke to the ABC and said that she was asked to leave by a female working in the government building for showing too much shoulder.

Journalists in the press gallery are expected to “maintain the standards of dress adopted by the majority of Senators and Members when attending in the chambers,” the rule states. Appropriate attire in the House of Representatives “may include a shirt with collar, jacket and trousers for men, and a similar standard of formality for women.”

The incident has prompted plenty of responses on the internet, with many women posting pictures of themselves rocking short sleeves in solidarity.

A similar dress code exists in United States Congress buildings. The House of Representatives bans bare shoulders and open-toed shoes, and outfits should reflect “appropriate business attire.”

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