Friday, Sep 08, 2006 at 08:58
Federal Environment Minister Ian Campbell, whose Australian Greenhouse Office was a sponsor of the
forum, last night scrapped funding for the event in protest.
But dancer Rebecca Gale said her balloon dance was only a bit of traditional satirical burlesque "bump, grind and shimmy".
There was no nudity, and the ballon dance, aimed at appealing to the climate change scientists, was more cabaret than anything else, Ms Gale said.
But one female
delegate took offence making others feel uncomfortable, she said.
"Some of them were enjoying it," Ms Gale told the Seven Network, adding some female delegates were happy to pop her balloons.
"With the balloon popping incident, I went down to vintage corsetry, there was not even midriff on display.
"It's just been blown so far out of proportion."
Senator Campbell said he was "appalled" at what happened.
"I have already directed my department to immediately withdraw the $3,000 sponsorship," he said after the show.
Opposition environment spokesman Anthony Albanese also said the situation was "appalling, and completely inappropriate".
"The Australian government should immediately investigate how on earth this occurred," Mr Albanese said.
Ms Gale today invited Mr Albanese to her mostly amateur group's next show in December.
"What we do is quite satirical," Ms Gale said.
"It's tongue-in-cheek and we are not out to offend people, particularly women.
"At our productions we have grandmothers that come and watch us and they cheer the loudest. It's certainly not about offending women."
Ms Gale said one of the goals of the group was to empower the women dancers and their femininity.
Organisers of the climate
forum have been were forced to issue a public apology.
"The intent was lighthearted entertainment. In retrospect the choice of entertainment was inappropriate for the occasion," the organising committee said in a statement.
AAP
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