Teal independent candidate Nicolette Boele has apologised for making an inappropriate remark to a teenage worker, which led to her being banned from a hair salon on Sydney’s upper north shore.
Ms Boele, who is trying to claim the seat of Bradfield from the Liberals, received a letter of complaint from the salon’s owner last week after telling the 19-year-old employee that her haircut was “amazing, and I didn’t even have sex with you”.
She confirmed the incident in a statement to the ABC.
“It was a poor attempt at humour and I’ve apologised. Everyone deserves to feel respected in their workplace and I’ll do better,”
she said.
Ms Boele is trying to claim the seat of Bradfield in Sydney’s upper north shore in the upcoming election. (ABC News: Liam Patrick)
ABC News contacted the salon and was told the owner did not wish to comment.
Ms Boele has become a well-known figure in the northern Sydney electorate of Bradfield, after running against former Liberal minister Paul Fletcher at the 2022 federal election and helping to secure a significant swing against him.
With the high-profile incumbent now retiring, many in the Coalition are nervous the seat could be claimed by the teal hopeful, who is running against Liberal candidate Gisele Kapterian.
Ms Boele is among dozens of independent candidates backed by the Climate 200 fundraising vehicle.
A spokesperson for Climate 200 declined to comment.
