The G-string bikini bottom would be banned on the Gold Coast under a proposal by a community identity who claims “we don’t need” to see “these bare bums”.
But the fashion item appears to be here to stay after the idea was rejected, with one local designer telling 7NEWS.com.au the comments fly in the face of a woman’s right to choose what she wears.
Ian Grace, a businessman and finalist in last year’s Local Hero of the Year awards, said he has been concerned about the swimwear item “around for about 12 months, to be honest”, having attended “family events” where “young ladies, miles from the beach”, were “walking around with these bare bums with almost nothing at the front as well”.
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“We don’t need it,” he said on Sydney radio on Monday.
“I believe the women themselves are demeaning and cheapening themselves.
“I think that’s wrong for young women.”
He said he was particularly concerned about children aged 11 to 17: “We want to make sure they have healthy relationships,” he said.
In comments to the Gold Coast Bulletin, Mayor Tom Tate said there was no consideration of such a ban.
Rebecca Pask, a Gold Coast businesswoman and founder of soon-to-be launched Barr Body & Swim, said the comments from a man “who’s so influential in the business world” are “unwelcome in a society of women who are constantly trying to make our own mark and be seen in whatever skin we want to be”.
“His comments are just so unwarranted in a time when women are fighting with everything we’ve got to have the ability to wear what we’re comfortable in, without any judgement,” she told 7NEWS.com.au.
“It’s just not reflective of where we’re going with our times and what we’re fighting so hard for.”