Jacqui Lambie: David Van apologises after being accused of making dog noises at Tasmanian senator

A Liberal Senator has issued an “unreserved apology” after a blow-up on the floor of the Senate involving Jacqui Lambie.

A Victorian Senator, David Van, has issued an “unreserved apology” after he was accused of making growling dog noises at Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie on Tuesday.

But Mr Van denied he was making an animal noise.

On the same day that a damning report was handed down about the treatment of women in Parliament House, the “growling noise” emanated from a mystery senator while Ms Lambie was speaking in the Senate.

After he was contacted by news.com.au to ask if he had been barking while a female senator spoke, the Victorian MP rose in the chamber shortly after 5:30pm to apologise.

He told news.com.au that he denied making a dog noise, but conceded he had interjected while Ms Lambie was speaking and this was not appropriate.

“I was just interjecting with a gruff voice and I think with the mask and everything, in all the noise that was going on, it was that,’’ Mr Van said.

“It was in no way an animal noise or meant to be disrespectful to (her) in any sort of gendered way.”

Asked why he was interjecting he replied: “Just Jacqui being Jacqui.”

He was then asked if he was mocking the way she spoke.

“No, I was not mocking her voice. I was doing an angry voice. I misbehaved and I’ll leave it at that. It was just the heat of Question Time. It wasn’t an animal noise. I’ve got a deep voice. With a mask on it came up.”

Asked what he was saying he said he could not remember.

Senator David Van. Picture: Instagram.

Earlier, Mr Van told the Senate he apologised.

“I seek leave to make a short personal statement to clarify a matter from Question Time,’’ Mr Van said.

“You asked us to reflect. I have reflected on my behaviour in Question Time. I acknowledge that interjections are always disorderly and also acknowledge that I was making interjections while Senator Lambie was asking a question during Question Time.

“And while I do not accept the characterisation of my interjections in a manner that was raised in points of order at that time, by other senators, I do regret the interjections now.

“I apologise to Senator Lambie into the Senate and reserve it was present, I commit to holding myself to the highest standards in the future.”

Fiery scenes erupted during Question Time on Tuesday as two female senators rose to call out the “inappropriate” behaviour they claimed took place in one section of the chamber while Ms Lambie was on her feet.

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, who was visibly outraged, said she wasn’t sure who was responsible but “it happened”.

“I don’t think it’s appropriate given what has been handed down today to have growling and dog noises coming from this side of the chamber while a female member in this place is on her feet,” she said.

“It happened. I don’t know who is responsible for it, but it is inappropriate.

“And if we are going to change culture and the top, that means all of us.”

Labor Senator Penny Wong then rose to back Senator Hanson-Young’s claim.

“I in fact said, ‘Who’s growling,’” she said.

“And I would like to ask one of the senators at that end, perhaps to do the right thing and withdraw.”

Senate President Slade Brockman said he hadn’t heard the growling, but if it did happen, the senator responsible should withdraw.

“I did not hear the particular incident that you have raised,” he said.

“If it occurred, I would ask the senator involved to reflect upon it and to withdraw if they did do what has been stated.”