How the Leyonhjelm sexism storm unfolded

Independent David Leyonhjelm has sparked outrage in a series of events leading to Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young accusing him of slut-shaming her.

File image of Liberal Democratic Party Senator David Leyonhjelm.

David Leyonhjelm is refusing to apologise for sexist remarks he made about Sarah Hanson-Young. (AAP)

THE BITTER FALLOUT BETWEEN SENATORS DAVID LEYONHJELM AND SARAH HANSON-YOUNG

THURSDAY

* The upper house debates Queensland senator Fraser Anning's motion calling on governments to encourage women to carry tasers, pepper spray and mace to defend themselves from murderers and rapists.

* During the debate, Leyonhjelm tells Hanson-Young to "stop shagging men", which he says was in response to her saying something like "all men are rapists".

* Hanson-Young approaches Leyonhjelm, he confirms his comments. She calls him a creep and he tells her to f*** off.

* The motion is defeated 46-5, with Leyonhjelm among the minority support.

* Hanson-Young's calls for an apology are rejected by Leyonhjelm.

SUNDAY

* Leyonhjelm appears on Sky News and 3AW radio where he doubles down on his comments, before alluding to Hanson-Young's private life.

* Sky issues an apology for broadcasting the "appalling" comments and suspends a producer for strap-lining them.

MONDAY

* Senior Turnbull government ministers and Tony Abbott urge Leyonhjelm to apologise.

* Hanson-Young calls for Leyonhjelm to resign.

* Hanson-Young sends legal letters to Leyonhjelm, Sky News and 3AW and confirms she will take advice on whether his comments were defamatory.

* Leyonhjelm tells her to "bring it on".

* Leyonhjelm now can't remember the exact wording of Hanson-Young's parliamentary comments, but says they were along the lines of "men should stop raping women".

* Hanson-Young says any claim she said or inferred all men are rapists is a lie.

* "I said putting more tasers on the streets would not make women more safe from men".

* Leyonhjelm lists extraordinary conditions for an apology. He will only say sorry and "forgive" Hanson-Young if she declares men aren't collectively responsible for the actions of other men who commit violence and reverses her position on the weapons motion.

TUESDAY

* Hanson-Young accuses Leyonhjelm of "slut-shaming" her in an emotional radio interview.

* Malcolm Turnbull and Bill Shorten call for Leyonhjelm to apologise, with both singling out his "offensive" language.

* Leyonhjelm denies "talking about boyfriends" is slut-shaming. He again refuses to apologise.


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2 min read
Published 3 July 2018 12:52pm
Source: AAP


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