Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove has apologised to Deputy Opposition Leader Tanya Plibersek after he appeared to dodge shaking her hand.
Video footage showed the Governor-General shaking hands with Opposition Leader Bill Shorten, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Speaker Tony Smith and Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce as he reopened parliament on Monday for a special three-week sitting.
Sir Peter appeared to avoid Ms Plibersek's hand after acknowledging Mr Shorten, who was next to her, leaving her standing awkwardly as he walked away.
After the moment a Labor MP could be heard heckling "You've been told Tanya, know your place".
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A spokesman for Ms Plibersek told SBS News Sir Peter had called her, but he declined to make any further comment on her behalf, saying Ms Plibersek "did not comment on private conversations" and that "no apology was necessary".
The whole incident was a "storm in a teacup" the spokesman said.
Senate protocol dictates that the Governor-General need only acknowledge the speaker, the prime minister and the opposition leader.
Sir Peter was reopening the parliament after it was prorogued to debate legislation that would see the Australian Building and Construction Commission re-established.
The legislation is likely to fail, which would lead to a double dissolution election on July 2.
