Dai Le has worn a Vietnamese traditional dress with the Australian flag imprinted on it while making her maiden speech in parliament.

She described fleeing Vietnam as a child and spending years in refugee camps before settling in Australia during her speech.

But not everybody is impressed the new Independent Federal Member for Fowler wore the flag as clothing.

Ms Le dismissed criticism, saying she believed the dress was “paying respect” to Australia.

“I just wore it in the house, the people’s house, I don’t think I did anything out of disrespect at all.”

Press PLAY below to hear about the reasons Dai Le wore the dress