Leyonhjelm fails to stop defamation suit

Sarah Hanson-Young's defamation lawsuit against fellow Senator David Leyonhjelm will go ahead in April, after he lost his bid to challenge a ruling refusing to strike out the case.

The Greens senator is suing the Liberal Democrats senator over interviews he gave between June 28 and July 2 to Sky News, Melbourne radio station 3AW and the ABC's 7.30 program, and a media statement posted on Medium.com on June 28.

In the material, he elaborated on his comment to Senator Hanson-Young on the floor of parliament to "stop shagging men" amid a debate on legislation seeking to prevent violence against women.

In November, a Federal Court judge refused to have the case stayed and on Tuesday another judge dismissed his application for permission to appeal against the refusal.