Judge awards Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young $120k in defamation case

A controversial former MP might be regretting the day he decided to have a verbal jab at a political rival – he is now thousands of dollars worse off due to it.

Former senator David Leyonhjelm will be forced to fork out $120,000 to Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young after she won her defamation case against him.

Part of the case revolved around just three words he uttered: “stop shagging men”.

Speaking after her court win, a tearful Ms Hanson-Young said that all she had ever wanted was for Mr Leyonhjelm to apologise for “hurtful remarks” he made about her in the media.

“He refused,” she said.

“No woman deserves to be bullied and harassed in her workplace – not on the shop floor, in the office, in the factory or in the parliament.

“Bullies must be taken on and held to account, no matter where they work or what privileges their title brings.”

Ms Hanson-Young was awarded $120,000 plus interest. She has said she will donate the money to two charities – Plan International and the Working Women’s Centre in South Australia.

She sued her then colleague over comments he made last year in a press release and in interviews with Sky News, Melbourne radio station 3AW and the ABC’s 7.30 program between June 28 and July 2, 2018.

In the material, the then Liberal Democrat politician elaborated on his comment to her on the floor of parliament to “stop shagging men” amid a debate on legislation seeking to prevent violence against women.

Ms Hanson-Young this afternoon. Picture: Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young today. Picture: Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images

The victory meant a lot to her. Picture: AAP/Lukas Coch

Senator Hanson-Young said the material portrayed her as a hypocrite and misandrist, in that he stated she used words in parliament that were “tantamount” to claiming all men are rapists but “nevertheless had sexual relations with them”.

She told the Federal Court she did not use those words, which would be an “absurd” statement.

Mr Leyonhjelm contended any reputation damage arose from her own words when she said “he’s slut-shaming me” on July 3, 2018.

He testified that although he couldn’t recall her exact wording, he had no doubt that the meaning of the Green senator’s parliamentary interjection was “all men are rapists”.

This was consistent with statements she had previously made on multiple occasions, he said.

Justice Richard White handed down his judgment this afternoon.

He ruled Mr Leyonhjelm’s defence of justification and qualified privilege had failed.

Former Liberal Democrats Senator David Leyonhjelm will have to cough up $120,000 to his rival senator. Picture: AAP Image/Peter Rae.

This afternoon, Ms Hanson-Young said she was pleased with the court’s decision.

“When men do the wrong thing, they should apologise. Most men do. But when they don’t, they should be called out.

“Not all women are able to stand up to the men that bully and harass them. As a Member of Parliament I am in a privileged position, and with privilege comes a responsibility to act for others.”

“I took this action because my daughter and her peers deserve to grow up in a society where women, young and old, married or single, rich or poor are treated with respect, free of discrimination, harassment and sexist slurs.

“Our nation’s parliament is an important and revered institution; it should set the standard of appropriate behaviour and model values of respect and equality for all,” she said.

“It is for every woman and girl who has been told to or made to stay silent in the face of harassment and disrespect that I have taken this legal action. Today’s ruling is a win for them.”

– with AAP.