Prime Minister Julia Gillard says she is worried young girls are being turned off public life by seeing the way she is being treated.

Perth radio host Howard Sattler has been suspended after asking Ms Gillard whether her partner Tim Mathieson is gay. He asked the question during an interview on Thursday, in which he challenged her to answer a series of myths, rumours and innuendos.

Speaking today, Ms Gillard refused to take questions on the controversy, but echoed comments from Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick that the treatment of high-profile women could send a damaging message to the next generation.

"I'm concerned about that, too. I don't want to see a message like that sent to those young girls," she said.

"I want young girls and women to be able to feel like they can be included in public life and not have to face questioning like the questioning I faced yesterday."

During the exchange with Mr Sattler on Fairfax Radio's 6PR, Ms Gillard said the questioning was absurd and "bordering" a line.

She accused Mr Sattler of making generalisations about male hairdressers.

"You know, to all the hairdressers out there, including the men who are listening, I don't think in life one can actually look at a whole profession full of different human beings and say 'Gee we know something about every one of those human beings', I mean, it's absurd isn't it?" she said.

Sattler then continued to ask: "You can confirm that he's not?"

Prime Minister Julia Gillard with radio host Howard Sattler. ( www.6pr.com.au )

The Prime Minister replied: "Oh, Howard don't be ridiculous."

Fairfax Radio management has issued a statement saying it has reviewed the interview and considers the questions disrespectful and irrelevant to the political debate.

The statement points out that Mr Sattler apologised later in the program for his line of questioning.

Management also extended sincere apologies to Ms Gillard and Mr Mathieson.

The statement says Mr Sattler has been suspended from broadcasting pending an internal inquiry.

Here is how the interview played out:

Howard Sattler: Myths, rumours, snide jokes and innuendos, you've been the butt of them many times. Julia Gillard: Well I think that's probably right. We've certainly seen that this week. Howard Sattler: Can I test a few out? Julia Gillard: In what way? Howard Sattler: Tim's gay. Julia Gillard: Well... Howard Sattler: ...No, that's not me saying it. It's a myth. Julia Gillard: Well that's absurd. Howard Sattler: But you hear it. He must be gay, he's a hairdresser. Julia Gillard: Oh, isn't that... Howard Sattler: But you've heard it? It's not me saying it. It's what people... Julia Gillard: Well, I mean Howard, I don't know whether every silly thing that gets said is going to be repeated to me now. Howard Sattler: No, no, no... Julia Gillard: But, you know, to all the hairdressers out there, including the men who are listening, I don't think in life one can actually look at a whole profession full of different human beings and say 'Gee we know something about every one of those human beings', I mean, it's absurd isn't it? Howard Sattler: You can confirm that he's not? Julia Gillard: Howard don't be ridiculous. Of course not. Howard Sattler: No, but in a heterosexual relationship. That's all I'm asking. Julia Gillard: Howard, you and I have just talked about that. So now that is bordering... Howard Sattler: No, I wanted to get rid of it. Julia Gillard: Howard, let me just bring you back to Earth. Howard Sattler: I'm not saying it. Julia Gillard: Right, well, let me just bring you back to Earth. You and I have just talked about me and Tim living at the Lodge. We live there together as a couple. You know that. Yes, on the internet there are lots of what I've referred to in the past as nutjobs and I'm happy to use the expression again... Howard Sattler: Good. Julia Gillard: ...People who peddle and circulate vile and offensive things. Howard Sattler: Awful things. Julia Gillard: Yeah absolutely.

The interview comes in a week in which the Prime Minister has faced personal attacks.

A restaurant menu surfaced on Wednesday which made crude references to Ms Gillard's body.

The menu was believed to have been used at a fundraiser for LNP candidate Mal Brough, leading to Labor's calls for his disendorsement.

The owner of the Brisbane venue, Joe Richards, took responsibility for it on Wednesday afternoon, saying he wrote the "mock" menu as a light-hearted joke and it was not given out to LNP members on the night.

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Watch Duration: 4 minutes 15 seconds 4 m 15 s PM asked if partner is gay as politicians condemn offensive menu

The menu has been condemned by all sides of politics, but the Government has continued to question Mr Brough's version of events.

Earlier, Ms Broderick said there had been a number of incidents where women office-holders had been asked inappropriate questions.

"The fact is that from the PM down, so many women in public office, whatever side of politics they come from or women at senior business level, I think there is - there is still a significant demeaning attitude, sexist questions, invasive questioning," she told ABC News 24.

"It's got to stop because we want women in public office, we want women to step up and be part of a decision-making of this country and while women and young women are put off by what they see.

"That's not a good thing for Australia. [But] one of the things that is positive, I think, is a greater propensity to call this behaviour out when this happens and that's got to be a good thing."