Georgie Purcell, Australian Member of Parliament, accuses Nine News of altering her appearance and attire in footage

An Australian MP, Georgie Purcell, has accused a media outlet of digitally altering an image of her to enhance her breasts and expose her midriff. The photo was featured in a Nine News Melbourne bulletin after Purcell spoke out against a government decision to allow duck hunting in the state. She took to social media to share the original unaltered photo and pointed out the edits made to her outfit to make it more revealing. Nine News apologized, claiming that the image was manipulated through automation by Photoshop. Purcell, who is the youngest woman in the Victorian Legislative Council, has been vocal about the treatment of women in Australian politics. She expressed her frustration with the incident, stating that it was one of the worst days she has experienced at work. The Director of Nine News Melbourne issued a sincere and unreserved apology to Purcell for the graphic error. The incident has sparked criticism against Nine News, with Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan condemning their actions and stating that it is not an appropriate representation of any woman, especially one holding a position in public office. This incident adds to the ongoing discussion about the prevailing sexist culture in Australian politics, highlighted by a 2021 report that revealed a high incidence of sexual harassment among federal parliament employees.