Senator defends his right to abuse

DAVID Leyonhjelm has defended his right as a “normal Australian” to abuse people he disagrees with in an expletiveridden interview on ABC radio, saying it is “ridiculous” he should be held to a higher standard as an elected official.

The Liberal Democrats Senator also argued he did not have a problem with women because he had been married for 34 years as he defended his remarks about Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young.

Senator Hanson-Young is suing him for alleged defamation over remarks he made on Sunday, which she claims implied she was promiscuous.

In a heated clash with ABC Radio National host Hamish Macdonald yesterday, Senator Leyonhjelm was asked about other remarks he had made to female journalists, including calling one a “bigoted bitch” and telling another to “shut the f*** up”.

“What’s your problem with women?” Macdonald asked.

“I think you’re mischaracterising it as sexist abuse when it’s just abuse,” Senator Leyonhjelm responded. “I am an Australian. I will tell people they’re bastards or bitches or to f-off, irrespective of their gender. If I think they should shut up, I’ll tell them to shut up.”

He said it was “normal Australian behaviour”.

“I don’t discriminate between men and women. I will tell them both equally if I think they’re wrong. I will call them out, I will tell them to shut up,” he said.

The Senator also defended calling Malcolm Turnbull a “pussy” after the Prime Minister called on him to apologise to Senator Hanson-Young.

He said Mr Turnbull should have called out the Greens Senator’s misandry – remarks indicating a hatred of men.

“Misandry is equally as bad as misogyny. The Prime Minister is on record as having

I THINK YOU’RE MISCHARACTERISING IT AS SEXIST ABUSE WHEN IT’S JUST ABUSE

DAVID LEYONHJELM

called out misogyny. Fine. I’m happy to call it out myself. But he should also call out misandry. It’s equally as bad. It’s also sexism. And for not doing so, he’s a doormat, basically,” Senator Leyonhjelm said.

The initial dispute between the senators was over Senator Leyonhjelm’s claim that Senator Hanson-Young had said “all men” were pigs and morons in the wake of Eurydice Dixon’s rape and murder in Melbourne. He also said Senator Hanson-Young said “all men are rapists” during a Parliamentary debate last month.

His response – telling her to “stop shagging men” and to “f*** off” – has now escalated into legal action.