A teal candidate running for the Sydney seat of Bradfield has apologized for making a sexual joke to a 19-year-old hairdresser, calling it a poor attempt at humor.
Nicolette Boele, an independent candidate vying for the seat previously held by Liberal Paul Fletcher, allegedly told the hairdresser that her hair wash “was so good and I didn’t even have sex with you.” The comment led to Boele being banned from the Envy Room salon, where the incident occurred.
The story was first reported by Ben Fordham on Nine’s 2GB Sydney radio. The incident threatens to disrupt Boele’s campaign, marking her second attempt at unseating the Liberals after nearly defeating Fletcher in the last election. Fletcher has since retired.
Boele admitted her mistake, saying, “It was a poor attempt at humor and I’ve apologized. Everyone deserves to feel respected in their workplace and I’ll do better.”
The Bradfield electorate, which includes the suburbs of Chatswood, Pymble, and Killara, has been held by Fletcher since 2009. The race is now a close contest between Boele and Liberal candidate Gisele Kapterian.
In the 2022 election, Boele came close to unseating Fletcher, with the seat holding a narrow 2.5 percent margin.
Staff at Envy Room declined to comment on the matter.
