Former Senator David Leyonhjelm has told a judge he had no doubt that the meaning of a colleague's parliamentary interjection was "all men are rapists".
But he said he could not recall Senator Sarah Hanson-Young's exact wording, only that it began "women", then there was something in the middle followed by "if men didn't rape them".
He was giving evidence in the Federal Court on Thursday at the lawsuit brought by Senator Hanson-Young, who says he defamed her in a media statement and in three media interviews between June 28 and July 2, 2018.
David Leyonhjelm has told a judge he had no doubt that the meaning of a colleague's parliamentary interjection was "all men are rapists". Source: AAP
The Greens senator denies saying the "absurd" statement that all men are rapists, contending Mr Leyonhjelm has portrayed her as a misandrist and hypocrite in that she had sex with men despite saying they were all rapists.
The former Liberal Democrat testified on Thursday that "there was no doubt in my mind that the meaning was very clear" and it was consistent with statements she had previously made on multiple occasions.
In the media material, he elaborated on his comment to Senator Hanson-Young on the floor of parliament to "stop shagging men" amid a debate on legislation seeking to prevent violence against women.
Under cross-examination by her barrister Sue Chrysanthou, Mr Leyonhjelm denied that the words "I strongly urge Senator Hanson-Young to continue shagging men" in his later press release was outrageous and flippant.
Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young leaves the Federal Court in Sydney. Source: AAP
He agreed he had never issued a release commenting on the sex life of a male colleague, but disagreed the only reason he wrote it was because Senator Hanson-Young was a woman.
"The purpose was to cause her distress and offence," Ms Chrysanthou said.
"I totally reject that," he replied
The barrister referred to Greens Senator Janet Rice saying, during the same debate, "interventions that prevent men's violence".
Mr Leyonhjelm said he didn't hear her say that, but looking at those words now he did not understand them to mean "all" men are violent.
"You don't think she was abusing you personally because you are a man," Ms Chrysanthou asked.
Former Senator David Leyonhjelm found himself in hot water over his comments to Senator Hanson-Young. Source: AAP
Mr Leyonhjelm replied "no" and also said he wouldn't think she was accusing him because he was a man, or that the statement meant she was a misandrist.
The hearing continues.
