A teal independent candidate has apologised after she was accused of making a sexual joke to a young hairdresser.

In a statement, Boele said she has since apologised for what she described as a “poor attempt at humour”.

“It was a poor attempt at humour and I’ve apologised,” Boele said in a statement to 9News.com.au.

“Everyone deserves to feel respected in their workplace and I’ll do better.”

Boele is vying for the seat of Bradfield from the Liberals in the upcoming federal election.

The Bradfield seat, which encompasses Sydney suburbs Chatswood, Pymble and Killara, was held by now-retired Liberal MP Paul Fletcher from 2009.

Boele is now up against Liberal candidate Gisele Kapterian for Bradfield.

Boele ran for the seat last election, falling short to Fletcher by single digits.

But the seat has been redrawn to take in more of the abolished North Sydney electorate.

North Sydney is currently held by Kylea Tink, another teal independent.

Tink decided to step down from parliament rather than seek another term in a redrawn electorate.