Senator sues opponent over ‘ sexist’ slurs in Oz

Case has sparked ‘ sexism’ debate in Oz Parliament

Canberra: Australian senator Sarah Hanson- Young has filed a lawsuit against a political opponent who made “sexist slurs” towards her.

The Greens senator, 36, is the first Australian sitting politician to sue another for defamation.

She alleges Senator David Leyonhjelm made “defamatory statements” about her personal life in parliament and in the Australian media.

Mr Leyonhjelm, 66, has said he will strenuously defend himself.

The Liberal Democrat senator was widely criticised in June after he told Ms Hanson- Young to “stop shagging men” during a debate in the Senate about curbing violence against women.

After Ms Hanson- Young spoke out about the remarks, he repeated similar comments in television and radio interviews. Ms Hanson- Young said Mr Leyonhjelm's comments were an attack on her character and had caused considerable harm to her family. “I’m calling this out because it is wrong," she said in a statement on Thursday.”

She added, “No woman, whether she be working behind a bar, in an office or in the Parliament, deserves to be treated this way, and it needs to stop.”

The feud between the two senators has prompted renewed public discussion about sexism in Australian politics. Women make up less than third of parliament.

Lawyers for Ms HansonYoung filed proceedings in the Federal Court of Australia on Wednesday. The senator said she would have preferred an apology rather than legal action.

Mr Leyonhjelm has consistently refused to apologise, despite calls to do so from other politicians including Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

He has said his comments in the Senate were in response to Ms HansonYoung saying “words to the effect that all men are rapists”.

David had asked Ms Sarah to “stop shagging men” during a debate about curbing violence against women