Feud reignites in Senate

THE “stop shagging men” controversy flared again in the Senate today with Liberal Democrat David Leyonhjelm “proudly” declining to apologise.

He walked out of the chamber after President Scott Ryan criticised the June 28 comments made to Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young.

“In my view, had the exchange occurred as reported, as part of the proceedings of the Senate, there is no doubt that the chair would have required certain comments to be withdrawn,” said the president.

However, Senator Ryan said he had not heard them and they had not been officially recorded until well afterwards.

The Greens leader Richard Di Natale foreshadowed a censure motion against Senator Leyonhjelm.

Justice Party senator Derryn Hinch backed the Greens censure and told the chamber Senator Leyonhjelm had “learned nothing”.

“I noticed that as Senator Leyonhjelm walked out, he joked to Senator (Cory) Bernardi, ‘I am walking out very proudly,’” Senator Hinch told the chamber.

“He took some pride in the fact that he will not apologise for his comments. I noticed Senator Hanson-Young in her workplace — and it is a workplace — in tears down here that very morning.

“And I thought, what the hell is happening here?

“I think Senator Leyonhjelm should hang his head in shame, and I’ll support any censure motion that Senator Di Natale puts forward.”

The explosive exchange in June on the last sitting day before Parliament resumed today came after Senator Leyonhjelm accused Senator Hanson-Young of saying all men were racists. She has denied the allegation.

But Senator Leyonhjelm had told her to “stop shagging men”.

In a separate matter, Senator Hanson-Young has investigated legal proceedings against Senator Leyonhjelm for remarks made on a TV program.

Senator Ryan said he had examined the issue of comments made outside official proceedings.

“The facts are these: An exchange occurred between senators Hanson-Young and Leyonhjelm. I did not hear any of the comments made, nor were they drawn to the attention of the chamber at the time,” he said.

“Technically, they did not form part of the Senate proceedings. The issue was raised with me later that day by Senator Di Natale, and I pursued a resolution to the matter privately.

“It was then subsequently brought to the attention of the chamber. No specific action was sought from the chair at the time, and it is now a matter of public record.

“In my view, had the exchange occurred as reported, as part of the proceedings of the Senate, there is no doubt that the chair would have required certain comments to be withdrawn. I have an authority, as president, to force an apology or apply a sanction to any senator. Such actions are matters for the Senate.”