Politician Asked To Roll Down His Sleeves In Parliament Because His Tattoos Are 'Intimidating'

An Australian politician has laughed in the face of a parliament staffer after he was warned his tattoos are 'intimidating'.

Federal MP Phillip Thompson was asked if he could roll down his sleeves while he was at Canberra's Parliament House because the ink on his forearms was making others a little unsettled.

The kicker? When the member for Herbert asked who had taken offence to his tattoos, the staffer wouldn't say.

Speaking to Sunrise, the youngest federal MP in Australia's parliament said that he is proud of his markings and has decided to wear them with pride after the awkward encounter.

The 32-year-old, who is also a former infantry soldier, says the tattoos are symbolic of his recovery after being left with a traumatic brain injury from stepping on an explosive device while serving in Afghanistan.

He told the Channel 7 programme: "I have a big fat Buddha on my forearm, another Buddha on the inside of my arm and the name of of my mate, Ben Ranaudo, who was killed in Afghanistan, on the inside of my bicep.

"They're not intimidating at all."

Phillip Thompson/Facebook

He says that it was pretty cowardly for the person who actually had an issue with the tattoos not to confront him and instead give the job to a staffer.

Mr Thompson added that the act shows that there are people representing Australia who are out of touch with ordinary citizens.

"We need soldiers, small business owners, nurses, daycare workers, teachers, we need everyone [in parliament]," he said.

But he left his most savage remark for when he was being interviewed on Melbourne's 3AW radio.

Phillip Thompson

Speaking to Neil Mitchell, Phillip said: "I didn't [join the] military and get blown up overseas, have friends of mine injured and killed or die by suicide, to come here and have some latte sipping leftie get sookie because of my tattoos.

"If they're intimidated then fine, get out of my way. I'm here to represent my people, not them.

"Politicians, a lot of them, don't necessarily represent everyone and they're not used to a 32-year-old young fella with a beard and tattoos," Mr Thompson continued.

"I think it's a joke, everyone else thinks it a joke, and I walk the halls confidently with my sleeves rolled up."

Looks like the tatts are here to stay Canberra.

Topics: News, Australia

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie is a Trending Journalist at LADbible. His first job was as a newsreader and journalist at the award winning Sydney radio station, Macquarie Radio. He was solely responsible for the content broadcast on multiple stations across Australia when the MH17, Germanwings and AirAsia disasters unfolded. Stewart has covered the conflict in Syria for LADbible, interviewing a doctor on the front line, and has contributed to the hugely successful UOKM8 campaign.

@stewartperrie