She thinks disrespectful and inappropriate conduct, tallied up and made available to the public, might help reduce game-playing and “childish antics” in a workplace like few others.

Mrs Fardell has spoken out in the past about the need for NSW politicians to set a better example for the community, including young people who appear in the parliamentary gallery.

Yesterday, as Bathurst MP Gerard Martin continued to come under fire for a dubious gesture, Mrs Fardell singled out “male MPs” as letting down the team.

State Opposition spokesperson on health Jillian Skinner has called for an “unreserved apology” from Mr Martin, and his removal from the position of Government ship should it not be offered.

In the Parliament on Tuesday, she said: “ Mr Martin went out of his way to catch my attention and then gave me and Opposition members a two-fingered gesture, and then a one-fingered gesture. These actions were offensive.”

Mrs Skinner said such behaviour had “no place in the NSW Parliament”.

Mr Martin has denied making an obscene gesture.

From her Sydney office yesterday, Mrs Fardell said she had been in the House “listening to the debate” when the incident occurred.

“I didn’t see it so I can’t really comment any further,” she said.

But the Dubbo MP revealed that late last year she had had a “close encounter” with an angry MP, requiring the intervention of others. “I didn’t ask for an apology ... I just got on with it,” she said.

Mr Fardell is also damning of noisy conversations in the House as politicians are speaking or making important announcements, and those MPs who, with “media waiting outside”, push for their own ejection.

Mr Martin claims he was making a “ victory salute” to NSW Nationals’ leader Andrew Stoner.

“What I was doing was holding two fingers up like a V-salute, and waving them towards Andrew Stoner and reminding them they were down to two per cent in the polls,” the Bathurst MP said.

He is refusing to apologise.