Awkward moment Bishop asked if she would go topless to save Bali Nine duo

This was the awkward moment feminist author Germaine Greer asked Foreign Minister Julie Bishop is she would 'free the nipple' to save the lives of the Bali Nine duo Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran.

It was the standout moment on ABC’s Q and A programme which aired on Monday night with the first ever all-female panel.

The subject matter was raised by an audience member who brought up the 'Free the nipple' social media campaign.

It aims to overcome the taboo around exposing women's nipples in film, television and photographs.

Guest host Annabel Crabb, who is ABC's chief online political writer, asked Bishop if the campaign was something she would consider participating in.

Bishop told the audience: "It's not something that I've ever actually had to the desire to do online.

“I'm quite adept at my emoji language and that's about as radical as I get.”

Bishop referred to a recent interview with BuzzFeed, thought to a world first, where she replied to questions in emoji language.

Greer went a step further and asked the politician 'What if it got you the commutation of the life sentences for two Australians?' referring to Bali Nine drug smugglers Chan and Sukumaran, who are awaiting imminent execution.

The audience gasped with shock and laughed after the question.

Bishop paused and then said: "Please don't go there, Germaine.”