‘I don’t take back what I said’: Hanson stands by slur
Pauline Hanson is refusing to apologize for insulting another senator on the same day she faces a motion of no confidence over provocative remarks against Muslims.
The One Nation leader stormed out of parliament on Monday after calling independent Lidia Thorpe a “bitch”.
The insult came during a heated exchange during a debate about US-Israeli attacks on Iran, in which Senator Thorpe repeatedly called Senator Hanson a liar.
He also condemned the One Nation leader for calling the US president “Senator Trump” during his speech.
The two then quietly exchanged blows off the microphone, and Senator Thorpe heard Senator Hanson tell the hottie, “If you want to talk to me, make an appointment” before using the derogatory remark.
As he went to make an edit to Senator Thorpe’s comment, he added: “I’ll be happy to see your back in two years,” referring to the independent senator’s plan not to contest the next election.
At least one coalition senator was seen trying to contain the laughter.
Senator Hanson later said he apologized “if the public hears me calling Senator Thorpe a bitch” but added that he did not take back his comment.
“The Senate chamber should be a place for debate, not constant shouting and screaming over senators’ heads as we saw with Senator Thorpe,” he told AAP after the insult.
“I’m not going to be called a liar over and over… I’m very impressed with him and so are the vast majority of Australians.”
Senator Thorpe refused to apologize, saying Australians did not want any more names being mentioned, they wanted action on rent, wages and living costs.
He accused the One Nation leader of focusing on the culture wars to distract from his relationship with billionaires like Gina Rinehart, including flying on the mining magnate’s private jet.
“He’s not opposing the elites. He’s part of them and he’s using divisiveness and theatrics to distract from that,” he said.
The heated debate comes as the coalition faces pressure to reject a preference deal with the resurgent One Nation in the upcoming by-election for the NSW seat of Farrer.
The poll was triggered by the resignation of former Liberal leader Sussan Ley after she was stabbed by Angus Taylor in the party’s top post in February.
But Mr Taylor refused to say how the Liberals would channel their preferences towards One Nation, adding that the party was not there yet.
“I will say that we will respect those who consider voting for One Nation,” he told reporters.
The latest News Poll, published on Monday, showed the coalition’s preselection vote rising slightly to 20 per cent, though still well behind One Nation’s 27 per cent and Labor’s 32 per cent.
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