Antic admonished in parliament over Zelensky comments

Alex Antic says he’s committed to democracy after he was admonished in parliament over comments about Ukraine’s president.

South Australian senator Alex Antic has been admonished for calling Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky “that little fella … in the green T-shirt” in parliament.

Criticising Labor’s controversial superannuation laws in the Senate on Thursday, Senator Antic accused the federal government for going back on election promises.

“It doesn’t matter how many parades the Prime Minister goes off and marches in … it doesn’t matter how many all-expenses-paid trips he takes to go and visit the global glitterati, the little fella from Ukraine, whatever his name is, in the green T-shirt,” he said.

SA Senator Alex Antic. Picture: Monique Harmer

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Picture: Sergei Supinsky

“Whatever his name is, anyway who cares … I can’t remember what his name is.”

NSW Labor senator Tim Ayres urged Senator Antic to withdraw his comments, which he labelled an “extraordinary reflection on the leader of Ukraine”.

Senator Ayres said Zelensky had been a “symbol of a very important struggle for democracy and freedom”.

Senator Antic withdrew “any improper replications” and emphatically rejected claims he did not have respect for democracy.

“I was just making an observation to his appearance,” he said.