Greens Senator apologises for 'disgusting' remark to Liberal colleague
A Greens Senator has apologised after reportedly telling a Liberal colleague "at least I keep my legs closed" following a debate in the Senate.
The Sydney Morning Herald has reported Senator Lidia Thorpe made the remark to Senator Hollie Hughes yesterday.
She apologised later that night, saying she "unreservedly" took back her comments – though she did not specify what they had been.
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Greens Senator Lidia Thorpe has apologised for a comment directed at a Senate colleague. Alex Ellinghausen
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"That won't happen again," Senator Thorpe said.
The apology followed a point of order raised by Liberal Senator Ben Small, who claimed Senator Thorpe had made a "disgusting comment" directed at Senator Hughes.
Nine.com.au has contacted the offices of Senator Thorpe and Senator Hughes for comment.
There has been a renewed focus on Parliamentary conduct this week, following the release of Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins' independent review, which found that misogynist behaviour was rife.
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Senator Hollie Hughes was the target of the reported comment. Alex Ellinghausen
On Tuesday, Liberal Senator David Van apologised after interjecting during a speech by Independent Senator Jacqui Lambie, though he denied reports he had "growled" at her.
"I did not make a 'noise' I spoke when making an interjection (and) I certainly did not make any kind of animal noise at all," Senator Van wrote on Twitter.
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Prime Minister Scott Morrison yesterday morning said such conduct was not acceptable.
"These are things that all parliamentary leaders continue to have to uphold the standards of and I expect that of my team," he said.
"I was very, very disappointed, extremely."
In the Lower House, Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese and Defence Minister Peter Dutton also butted heads, with Mr Albanese calling Mr Dutton a "boofhead" before Mr Dutton retorted that Mr Albanese had a "glass jaw".
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