Canberra Times editor Mark Baker has defended his newspaper's decision to publish a revealing front-page photograph of Labor MP Maxine McKew in a short dress.
The broadsheet received complaints from readers after it ran the image of Ms McKew talking animatedly to former Prime Minister John Howard.
The front-on photograph shows Ms McKew sitting alongside Mr Howard and while it doesn't display anything inappropriate, it suggests she may not be wearing underwear.
Mr Baker said it is a tremendous picture but has expressed regret to any readers who have been offended by the image.
He said readers can see a little bit more of Ms McKew's legs up to mid-thigh but nothing more than that.
The Age newspaper in Melbourne used the same photograph but cropped it differently avoiding the problem.