MP hits back after ‘close your legs’ clip

A Queensland politician has hit back after reportedly saying “close your legs” while her counterpart spoke in parliament.

Health minister Shannon Fentiman had the floor in parliament on Wednesday, where she was discussing women’s health and maternity services.

However, in a video shared by Ms Fentiman on X, which has since been deleted, her speech was interrupted by shadow health and women’s minister Ros Bates.

Ms Fentiman claims in the video Ms Bates said “close your legs” off camera, but Hansard has recorded the Mudgeeraba MP saying “cross your legs”.

Ms Fentiman is seen stopping in her tracks as the chamber erupted in disdain for the comments.

Another politician can be heard off camera saying “potty mouth” in response to Ms Bates statement.

The Speaker warned Ms Bates “under standing orders” and asked her to withdraw her comment, which she did before sitting back down in her seat on the front bench.

The video has since been removed from Ms Fentiman’s social media after it emerged she had misheard Ms Bates’ comments.

Ms Bates has since revealed what she actually said in parliament was “cross your legs” in response to a debate on mother’s being forced to travel further than their local hospital to access maternity services.

“With Labor suggesting women could just bypass their local hospital to go to another hospital to give birth, I could not believe Labor was telling mothers the ‘cross your legs’ while in labour,” Ms Bates said on X.

“This is the comment I made.

“We have had women give birth on the side of the road in Queensland due to maternity services being closed in regional areas and this is what we are demanding the health minister answer for today.

“The comment was clearly not about the health minister, it was about the alarming Queensland maternity crisis, which continues to worsen on her watch and is putting women and children at risk.”

Ms Bates slammed Labor’s decision to isolate the video, which she found “deeply offensive”.

“Shannon Fentiman is aware I am a victim of domestic violence,” Ms Bates said.

“She is also aware I am a mother. For her to mischaracterise my words for her own political gain and attempt to portray me as a misogynist is deeply offensive.”

Ms Bates said Ms Fentiman had “deliberately misrepresented parliament” and demanded an apology.

It comes as Premier Steven Miles also shared the now deleted video on Tuesday, slamming the “disgraceful behaviour” it depicted.

“No woman should be treated like this in a workplace, or anywhere for that matter,” he said.

The health minister’s video has racked up more than 96,000 views on social media since it was posted shortly after 12.30pm on Wednesday.

Many flooded Ms Bates’ X account, calling for her to resign.

“You are not fit to represent women with your disgusting comment,” one person said.

“Withdrawing it means nothing. You should be embarrassed.”

Another person wrote: “Shame on you.”

One person said Ms Bates had “offended all women” with her comment.

“You comments to Shannon Fentiman show you are not worthy to be in a parliamentary position,” they said.

“They were disgraceful, disgusting and unforgivable.”

Ms Fentiman’s office has been contacted.