Liberal politician Nicolle Flint subjected to ‘sexist’ and ‘misogynistic’ verbal attack on night out with friends

A Liberal politician has taken aim at Australia’s “deep cultural issues” after a “misogynistic” attack from a stranger.

Recently returned Liberal politician Nicolle Flint has hit back at an “aggressive” and “misogynistic” man who verbally “attacked” her while she was on a night out with friends.

Ms Flint was at a Tasting Australia event with friends on Friday when she was approached by a “well-built” man, who she said launched an unprovoked tirade over her political views online.

Ms Flint said the man, who she guessed was in his mid-20s, hurled abuse at her until one of her friends and security at the event tried to intervene.

“For a tall, well-built young man to confront a woman he has never met in a relaxed social setting and to be so aggressive, says to me that we have very deep cultural issues we need to address,” Ms Flint said.

Ms Flint – whose return to politics as the Liberal candidate for the federal seat of Boothby was confirmed this week – said the attack highlighted the lack of respect afforded to women in Australia.

Nicolle Flint has taken aim at Australia’s “deep cultural issues” after being verbally attacked by a stranger on a night out with friends. Picture: Matt Turner

She walked away from politics in 2022 after being subjected to sexist and misogynistic behaviour and harassment including being stalked and told to kill herself.

“This week and the past year as it’s unfolded in relation to women in Australia, says that we’ve got some very big problems we need to fix,” she said.

“When you speak to people in a disrespectful manner, when you confront them in an aggressive manner, that then can lead to much more serious consequences,” she said.

“That’s what worries me most about the situation I was confronted with last night.

“A complete stranger attacking me over things I have allegedly said on a social media platform.

“We have to address disrespect to women at every single level and the most basic level is making sure that everyone in our community is respectful to one another because when they’re not, when they’re aggressive, when they feel that they can turn around to a complete stranger in a public space in a social context and unleash an aggressive, abusive, sexist and misogynistic tirade, that says that they haven’t learnt how to be respectful to other people.”

Ms Flint walked away from politics after being stalked and subjected to vile abuse. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

“How else are they behaving in their life? No wonder we are seeing shocking incidents across society because of that.”

Ms Flint welcomed federal government funding to address violence against women and the upcoming royal commission into domestic violence but said the issues needed to be looked at “on every single level”.

“At the most basic level, it’s about being respectful,” she said.

Ms Flint said she would not be taking the matter to police but said the man needed to be held accountable.

“My only regret is that I didn’t take a photograph of him so I could publicly shame him,” she said.

“I refuse to have men like that intimidate women anymore.

“Enough is enough.”