© Rex Features / Paul Brown
Nationals MP John Forrest said that producers of ABC1's At Home with Julia went too far when they showed footage of Julia Gillard lookalike Amanda Bishop draped in an Aussie flag with her partner after having sex in her office.
Forrest told News.com.au: "Having sex in the prime minister's office under the Australian flag is the last straw for me. I am sick, I am offended, and we should take a stand.''
Fellow Nationals politician Bruce Scott added: "[It's offensive] no matter who the prime minister is. How do parents then tell their children they have to be respectful to their elders and to leaders?"
An ABC spokesperson has now defended the scene, saying: "If it's okay for others to drape themselves in our flag for all manner of occasions, I really don't see why it can't be draped over our prime minister as a symbol of love."
Monarchist professor David Flint added: "This is probably going a bit far. I think a bit more discretion when using the flag is appropriate, even when you are trying to make a joke. [The show is] just not funny." Government protocol states that the Australian flat should not "fall or lie on the ground or be used as a cover".
In 2009, The ABC had to apologise for controversial episodes of comedy show The Chaser, when the cast members seemingly ridiculed terminally ill children. The series was later axed.
The controversial episode of At Home with Julia is scheduled to air tomorrow evening on ABC1.
Watch a clip from At Home with Julia below:
