THE state government says it will keep a ''close eye'' on an upcoming US-style child beauty pageant in Melbourne but stopped short of endorsing a ban.

The Minister for Children and Early Childhood Development, Wendy Lovell, said ''we should trust parents to make the right decision for their children''.

Protest at Parliament House - against child pageants . Credit:Angela Wylie

''I have asked my department to keep a close eye on this pageant and to advise me of any issues that arise,'' Ms Lovell said.

At a ''Pull the Pin'' rally outside State Parliament yesterday Coalition, Labor and Greens politicians, parents and social commentators condemned contests where little girls parade wearing make-up and sexy clothes.