When some of the Liberal National Party's youngest leaders were caught out this week laughing at a racist slur, it was uncomfortable viewing.

But inappropriate behaviour isn't just a pastime of the young party hopefuls, with some seasoned politicians engaging in questionable antics in the recent past.

The public backlash to a video showing Gold Coast Young LNP chairman Barclay McGain laughing at a racist comment on Indigenous culture, has been swift.

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But the response from the captain, Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington, left party insiders frustrated.

The video sparked questions around whether casual racism was the result of youthful ignorance and arrogance, or a wider reflection of the party's values.

"We've got to stop celebrating a culture that couldn't even invent the bloody wheel for God's sake," a teenager proclaimed — while Mr McGain smirked beside him.

It was the perfect opportunity for Ms Frecklington to actively address the issue.

Instead, at her initial press conference, she delivered an almost robotic repetition of the well-rehearsed line "it's inappropriate and the party is taking action".

She repeated the same line six times, even when asked for her personal views.

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Her handling of the situation left some in the party scratching their heads, with several insiders suggesting it showed a lack of leadership.

Ms Frecklington missed the chance to be clear on her party's values and send a message to the junior ranks, instead hiding behind party process.

In doing so, she made herself the story and put her party's reputation on the national stage.

When pressure continued into a second day Ms Frecklington gave what appeared to be a forced apology.

Less than a year out from the Queensland election, at a time when the LNP had been actively trying to shift its brand to proactive and positive, they were forced into defence-mode.

To the credit of the party's administrative wing, three members of its youth branch were swiftly suspended.

Groundhog day

The screws tightened further when it was revealed Young LNP Treasurer Oscar Green had been disciplined for a photo stunt where he was surrounded by political signs belonging to rival parties.

Party insiders told the ABC a number of similar concerns about young LNP members had been previously forwarded up the chain and not acted on immediately.

But a LNP spokesman denied there were cultural issues among the party's youth.

"Sometimes, some young people don't always make the best judgements and that's true in many areas of the community," the spokesman said.

"But we will stand by the 99 per cent of YLNP members who make a very important contribution to the party and our society."

There is no doubt Labor, while abhorring the video, is quietly revelling in the Opposition's lacklustre response.

Though the ALP should look within its own ranks for examples of inappropriate behaviour.

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Just six weeks ago, elected MP Peter Russo, was caught out calling a female MP a "f***wit" inside the parliamentary chamber.

He only apologised after he was called out by the media.

On both sides of the political divide, it's not a shining example of what our next generation of political hopefuls are looking up to.