Sky News Australia has apologised to South Australia Senator Sarah Hanson-Young after broadcasting “appalling comments” directed at her by Senator David Leyonhjelm.
In a statement posted to their Twitter account this afternoon, Sky News apologised for highlighting the comments on-screen. As a result, the producer responsible was suspended pending an internal investigation.
Sky News wishes to apologise to Senator @sarahinthesen8 for broadcasting appalling comments by Senator @DavidLeyonhjelm earlier today, and for highlighting them in an on-screen strap. A producer has been suspended pending an internal investigation.
— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) July 1, 2018
Journalist Shannon Molloy had been watching the Outsiders program, featuring Leyonhjelm, alongside hosts Rowan Dean and Ross Cameron. Molloy had been watching the broadcast in a Qantas lounge when he posted an image from the program to his Twitter captioned “This show is disgusting and the once-great channel that bothers broadcasting it should be ashamed.”
The highlighted comment made by Leyonhjelm reads, “Sarah Hanson-Young is known for liking men the rumours about her in parliament are well known.”
https://twitter.com/sleemol/status/1013254910597402626
Earlier this week during a motion about violence against women and rape, Leyonhjelm told Hanson-Young “you should stop shagging men, Sarah.”
The comments happened during a vote on Thursday on whether or not nonlethal weapons (like tasers and pepper spray) should be allowed as a self-defence for women.
Hanson-Young voted no because she doesn’t think women should continue to take responsibility for the violent crimes committed against them. The senator doesn’t believe more weapons on the streets are an appropriate solution, either.
The motion was defeated 46 votes to five.
Following the vote, Hanson-Young says Leyonhjelm yelled the disgusting comments to her across the Senate chamber.
I confronted Senator Leyonhjelm about his comment to me. Shocked at his brazen attitude, I called him a creep. He told me to “F*ck Off”.
— 💚🌏 Sarah Hanson-Young (@sarahinthesen8) June 28, 2018
After being told to “Fuck off”, Hanson-Young informed her party leader and the Senate President but Leyonhjelm still refused to apologise.
I have formally put this event on the record in the Senate and asked Senator Leyonhjelm to withdraw his comment and apologise directly.
— 💚🌏 Sarah Hanson-Young (@sarahinthesen8) June 28, 2018
In an opinion piece for The Guardian Hanson-Young wrote:
Yesterday when I confronted Senator Leyonhjelm, and even after being asked by my party leader and the Senate president, he refused to apologise. I knew I had no other choice than to put what had occurred on the record. Otherwise he would have forever known that I didn’t call him out, and that I hadn’t stood up for myself.
Leyonhjelm told the ABC he would not be withdrawing his remarks.
Molloy has since started a Change.org petition demanding Qantas to take Sky News off their screens. 334 people have already signed the petition.
