Vic MP explains Rosie Batty snub

A Victorian MP who refused to join a standing ovation for Rosie Batty says family violence has "incredible sensitivity" for him.

Liberal MP Graham Watt did not join the other 127 state MPs who gave the Australian of the Year a standing ovation after she addressed a historic joint sitting of the state parliament.

Mr Watt also refused to join standing ovations for at least one other family violence speaker, and belatedly stood for others.

"For very personal and private reasons I chose not to stand," Mr Watt said in a statement on Thursday.

"Family violence is an issue of incredible sensitivity to me and my family and at some point I will be making a public contribution about the indiscriminate nature of family violence.

"I am very passionate about dealing with the scourge of family violence and supporting all those who are victims of it, male and female."

Ms Batty spoke to all Victorian MPs before six other speakers addressed the lower house about family violence.

Mr Watt stood and clapped for Kristy McKellar, who spoke about the horrific assaults her husband unleashed on her.

He refused to stand for Rodney Vlais from No To Violence and the Men's Referral Service.