Brisbane, August 19 : A comment of the Mayor of an Australian town on how lovelorn female "ugly ducklings" could help redress a gender imbalance has sparked a protest march.

Mayor John Molony sparked controversy by suggesting that "beauty-disadvantaged women... (should) proceed to Mount Isa (town)", where women are outnumbered five-to-one.

"We want an apology. We are offended and we want to settle the score," brisbanetimes. com. au quoted local woman Rikki Loccisano, a 22-year-old administration officer, as saying.