Leyonhjelm hurls obscenity at senator

NSW senator David Leyonhjelm has defended crude comments directed at Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young during a debate on women's safety in Parliament.

Mr Leyonhjelm this evening confirmed he told the Greens Senator to "stop shagging men" and then told her to "f*** off" when she confronted him about it.

Senator Hanson-Young told parliament the Liberal Democrats senator made the remark during a vote on a motion about arming women with tasers to combat violence.

"I asked whether I heard him correctly. He confirmed he yelled 'you should stop shagging men, Sarah'," Senator Hanson-Young said.

"Shocked, I told him he was a creep. His reply was to tell me to 'f*** off'."

Senate president Scott Ryan asked Senator Leyonhjelm to apologise but he refused.

Senator Leyonhjelm said he was responding to Senator Hanson-Young's interjection, which was "along the lines of all men being rapists".

"I responded by suggesting that if this was the case she should stop shagging men. I did not yell at her," Senator Leyonhjelm said.

"Following the division, Senator Hanson-Young approached me and called me a creep. I told her to f*** off."

He said if the Greens senator took offence, it was an issue for her.

"I am prepared to rephrase my comments. I strongly urge Senator Hanson-Young to continue shagging men as she pleases," Senator Leyonhjelm said.

Senator Hanson-Young described the comments as sexist and offensive, adding she was disappointed Senator Leyonhjelm had not apologised.