BALLARAT federal MP Catherine King has called Senator David Leyonhjelm a “complete and utter dick” on public television for his sexist slurs in a federal parliament debate.
Ms King, a Labor MP, made the comment on ABC panel show Q&A on Monday night when questioned about Leyonhjelm’s actions in which he told Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young to "stop shagging men" during a debate last week.
He doubled down on those comments on Sunday before making references to her private life in an interview on Sky News.
"I think David Leyonhjelm has been a complete and utter dick. He absolutely has,” Ms King said. “So, frankly, I think he should absolutely apologise. This behaviour has to be called out."
Corangamite Liberal MP Sarah Henderson also said Leyonhjelm’s inappropriate actions should be called out, and he apologise but admonished Ms King for the “name calling”.
Senator Hanson-Young has vowed to fight Senator Leyonhjelm for shaming her as part of a wider campaign to stamp out sexism in Australian workplaces.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten joined calls on Tuesday for Senator Leyonhjelm to apologise and that it was not too late to withdraw his comments.
Ballarat Courier with AAP
