ARIA Awards 2015: Matt Okine uses speech to call out lack of female representation in category

The winner of the ARIA Award for best comedy release has taken a more serious tone to his acceptance speech, highlighting the lack of woman in his category.

Triple J breakfast co-host Matt Okine has gained wide praised across social media for making the statement on Thursday, after beating four other male contenders.

He highlighted the absence of women nominated for the same award, something he found unacceptable.

"I didn't feel great reading that list of people," Okine told the audience at The Star Casino in Sydney.

The speech was cut from the broadcast on Channel Ten along with award presentations for a number of other categories.

Okine later told reporters: "People might say that's something you would say for attention, but I feel like, 'what should I do, just be passive?'

"A lot of guys my age think you're doing enough by not doing anything bad."

No solo woman has ever won an ARIA for best comedy album, and a nominee list without a female name is not a rarity.

Since 1987, female nominees have included Mary Kenneally (nominated with Steve Blackburn); Kylie Mole; Elle McFeast; and Judith Lucy.

The speech attracted applause at the annual music awards and on social media.

"Congrats Matt Okine and well said," former ABC broadcaster Adam Spencer tweeted.

KLP wrote: "great speech. Would be even greater if it wasn't so uncommon for a guy to talk about the subject. Bug [sic] ups Okine!"

While Anna Dooley thanked Okine "from a future female comic".