Controversial arts identity Jorian Gardner says he was embarrassed and defamed by ACT politicians during debate about an Adolf Hitler-themed strip show at this year's National Multicultural Festival Fringe event.
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Seeking an official right of reply in the parliamentary record, Mr Gardner has written to Assembly Speaker Vicki Dunne to complain about ''a clear, direct and personal attack and criticism'' from Liberal MLAs Jeremy Hanson, Giulia Jones and Brendan Smyth.
The debate on February 25 came during a no-confidence motion in Arts Minister Joy Burch over the performance, which featured a female burlesque dancer dressed as Hitler, wearing gold wings, dancing to the song Gangnam Style.
Under rules of the Assembly, individuals or corporations named in official proceedings can seek a written right of reply if they feel they have been adversely affected in reputation, respect, business dealings or had their privacy invaded.
A former WIN News Canberra and 2CC radio employee, Mr Gardner said that suggestions by Mr Hanson and Mrs Jones that he was appointed as Fringe Festival creative director without appropriate processes were wrong and that he made no income from the $20,000 contract.
He said senior representatives of the Jewish and German communities in Canberra did not express concern during discussions about the February performance.
''These statements have adversely affected me in reputation and dealings in the arts and business community by inferring something 'shadowy' has occurred when no such thing has happened at all,'' he said.
The four-page letter disputes anonymous criticism of Mr Gardner's work raised by Mrs Jones and says the opposition multicultural affairs spokeswoman has ''no competence in arts practice''.
Mr Gardner said the individuals responsible for the comments should be named.
''Is it not possible, given that no one is named here, that [Mrs] Jones simply made this up?'' he said. ''I put it to the committee that it is entirely possible.
''By making incorrect judgments about the event, its history and how it should be run on the public record, a person who reads this as fact could therefore mistakenly assume I have not done my job properly, thus adversely affecting my reputation.''
After consideration of the letter by Mrs Dunne, a committee will decide if a right of reply is appropriate.
An official right of reply would be published by the Assembly or incorporated into the Hansard record of proceedings.
Mr Gardner said he would like an apology from the three MLAs.
''MLAs should be made aware that their words about non-elected, ordinary members of the public, whether negative or positive, carry weight,'' he said.
''I am disappointed in the low level of debate the ACT Liberal opposition decided to employ tactically on this day and there can be no doubt those words have had an affect on me professionally and very personally.''
Mr Hanson placed blame for the incident on Ms Burch.
''I make no apology that I have a different view from Joy Burch of what is an acceptable use of public funds or what is acceptable at a multicultural festival,'' he said.
