Call for controversial commentator Bettina Arndt to have Aus Day honour cancelled
Bettina Arndt should have her Member of the Order of Australia cancelled because her views diminish the devastating experiences of victim-survivors, says Victoria’s Attorney-General.
VIC News
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Victoria’s Attorney-General Jill Hennessy has called for controversial commentator Bettina Arndt to have her Australia Day honour “cancelled”.
Ms Hennesy said she was “alarmed” and “concerned” that Ms Arndt was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) — Australia’s third-highest civic honour.
Ms Arndt was recognised on Australia Day for striving to achieve “gender equity through advocacy for men”.
However the announcement drew a swift backlash, with 31,000 people signing an online petition calling for the honour to be revoked.
Ms Hennesy weighed into the debate in a letter to Governor-general David Hurley, which she shared on social media on Wednesday night.
In her letter, she wrote that bestowing such an honour on Ms Arndt would cause distress to abuse victims.
Members of the Order of Australia are meant to be about recognising the best of our nation.
— JillHennessyMP (@JillHennessyMP) January 29, 2020
The most dedicated, those who serve their communities, the explorers and the leaders, the inspirers of us all.#springst #auspol pic.twitter.com/biGNBrEH2W
She said Ms Arndt’s views and activities “diminish the devastating experiences of victim-survivors of family and sexual violence, promote division and discourage victim-survivors from taking steps to ensure their survival and safety”.
“I would ask the Council of the Order of Australia consider cancellation of Ms Arndt’s award given that her public commentary brings the Order in to disrepute and in particular that it attaches the Order’s tacit support to her views.”
Shame on Victoria's first law officer, Jill Hennessy, the Victorian Attorney General for responding to muckraking from ideologues rather than seeking proper evidence. The Age tells me Hennessy has written to the Governor General asking for my AM to be revoked.
— Bettina Arndt (@thebettinaarndt) January 29, 2020
Ms Arndt responded in a tweet where she said “Shame on Victoria’s first law officer, Jill Hennessy, the Victorian Attorney-General for responding to muckraking from ideologues rather than seeking proper evidence”.
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