An otherwise dull Senate Estimates hearing perked up when a liberal senator suddenly made a revealing comment about wearing lycra.
The off-hand comment from Victorian Liberal senator and Shadow Finance Minister Senator Jane Hume was made at an Economic Legislation Committee hearing on Budget Estimates 2024-25 on Tuesday.
The exchange between Ms Hume and ASIC president Joe Longo sparked laughter in the normally quiet committee room.
Video of the funny exchange showed Senator Hume addressing Mr. Longo.
“I feel this is very uncomfortable,” Senator Hume said.
“Every time I see Mr. Longo it seems like it’s at the gym on Saturday mornings. So I apologize for the lycra.
‘His or yours?’ someone off camera asked.
“Every time I see Mr. Longo it seems like it’s at the gym on Saturday mornings. So I apologize for the lycra,” Senator Hume said.
ASIC president Joe Longo assured the committee: “You will never see me in Lycra”
A woman dressed in lycra (not Senator Hume) works out at the gym.
“Less worthy men have seen me in much less,” said Senator Hume.
Mr. Longo responded: “I want to assure the committee that I will never be seen wearing lycra.”
He repeated the statement for maximum effect, while the committee members laughed.
Senator Hume paused to compose herself before returning to the matter.
‘Sorry, I forgot myself for a moment. Now I’m going to ask some questions about something serious.’
Andrew Greene, ABC defense correspondent tweeted the exchange in X.
‘“Less worthy men have seen me in far less” – @SenatorHume talks about sportswear and proves once again that Senate estimates are far more interesting than most parliamentary proceedings.’
Comments on Greene’s tweet were mixed.
“I really like him…” wrote one X user.
But another posted: “How to completely discredit yourself in one sentence.”
‘Absolutely lovely. The reality of everyday life and some refreshing jokes. The gym’s location in Parliament House means we can all see a lot of lycra and a lot of sweaty shorts-clad legs passing by during the weeks of sitting. The good thing is that no photos are taken,” wrote a Canberra source.