Senator David Leyonhjelm has defended his comments about Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young’s sex life, arguing it is “normal” for Australians to use crude language.
Leyonhjelm is facing calls from across the political spectrum to apologise Hanson-Young for telling her to “stop shagging men” on the floor of the parliament, and for spreading further rumours about her personal relationships in subsequent TV interviews.
“I think you're mischaracterising it as sexist abuse when it's just abuse,” the Liberal Democrats' only elected member told ABC Radio on Wednesday.
“I am an Australian. I will tell people they're bastards or bitches or to F off, irrespective of their gender,” he said.
“If I think they should shut up I'll tell them to shut up. It is a normal Australian behaviour.”
The senator wrote on Facebook Hanson-Young was trying to "build an image of an innocent victim".
He claimed his actions were justified because he believes the Greens senator subscribes to "misandry", meaning a hatred of men.
'Stop being a pussy'
Prime minister Malcolm Turnbull joined calls for the senator to apologise on Tuesday, saying it was “not too late”.
But in an exclusive interview with SBS News, Senator Leyonhjelm told the prime minister to “stop being such a pussy”.
Foreign minister Julie Bishop told Seven’s Sunrise program the senator should “not be calling a prime minister names”.
Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young . Source: AAP
“We should be acting with more respect towards each other. So I suggest more respect, not less,” Ms Bishop said.
Senator Hanson-Young has accused Senator Leyonhjelm of “slut-shaming” – referring to the practice of trying to stigmatise or embarrass women for their sexuality or alleged promiscuity.
Senator Leyonhjelm denies this accusation.
He says he was “offended” by Senator Hanson-Young, claiming she implied “all men” were responsible for violence against women.
Senator David Leyonhjelm has refused to apologise. Source: AAP
There is no record of Senator Hanson-Young saying those words – Senator Leyonhjelm claims the Hansard scribes did not hear her.
“I was there and you weren’t,” Senator Leyonhjelm told the ABC.
'Real men don't call women bitches'
Meanwhile, the senator had a tense exchange on a Channel Ten breakfast show when host Angela Bishop asked why he had called her a "bitch" on Twitter.
“Senator, you said that you made those remarks because (Sarah Hanson-Young) was guilty of misandry. I am not a misandrist. Why did you call me a bitch?" the host asked.
“Because you were being bigoted,” Senator Leyonhjelm said.
"The definition of bigotry is not listening to any other view. That is what I was trying to say.”
The show's co-host Hugh Riminton responded:
“But if you think she’s a bigot, why not call her a bigot? Why call her a bitch? Real men don’t call women bitches.”
Senator Leyonhjelm said Mr Riminton had a "sheltered life".
“Women call each other bitches," he said.
