An Australian woman’s question to politicians leaves them perplexed: “If they did that in any other job, they’d get fired.”

Two senior politicians have been left embarrassed after a woman questioned them about using their mobile phones in Parliament.

An audience member on the ABC Q&A show asked MP Barnaby Joyce and Senator Tim Ayres why most politicians are using their phones in the House when children are banned from using them in class.

‘Surely during the hour we get to see you on TV, you could silence your phones or alternatively force them to leave them at the door like school children have to do?’

After a round of laughter from the audience, both admitted their guilt before presenter Patricia Karvelas joked: “My 12-year-old son went to Parliament and said they were playing Candy Crush.”

Mr. Joyce replied to his interlocutor by saying: “You are absolutely right.”

“It’s a discussion that people have had and they’ve been banned in the past and maybe after this show they might move in that direction.”

Mr Ayres said that when he looks at his phone, he “hopes the Senate President won’t find out.”

“But very often you get messages from the office and you respond and do a little bit of work,” he said.

Social media users criticized the double standard and questioned why there are different rules for politicians than for ordinary workers.

“If you did that at any other job, you’d be fired,” one person said.

Another wrote: “If children are not allowed to have phones in classrooms, I don’t understand why the adults who set the rules can’t do the same.”

Since late last year, children in New South Wales have not been allowed to carry their phones during classes, breaks and lunch.

The rule was implemented after it was discovered that children were spending excessive amounts of time on social media apps, which was affecting their ability to learn.

All states except the ACT and Tasmania have already banned mobile phone use in public schools, but there is no such ban for private schools.