Senator David Bushby's cat call at Penny Wong sparks sexism row

By Malcolm Farr PARLIAMENT descends into "unseemly" uproar after Senator issues apology for "sexist" meow at minister.

A LIBERAL senator has apologised after sparking a sexism row when he made cat noises at Finance Minister Penny Wong in Parliament.

Tasmanian Senator David Bushby left Senator Wong fuming when he interrupted her appearance at a committee hearing with a “meow”.

Senator Wong, who was under pressure to explain the absence of Treasury Secretary Martin Parkinson from the hearing, described Senator Bushby’s behaviour as “extraordinary” and accused the Liberals of double standards.

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“It is just extraordinary. The blokes are allowed to yell but if a woman stands her ground, you want to make that kind of comment. It's not schoolyard politics, mate,” she said.

'Feminist hypocrite' jibe

The exchange then threatened to bring on "unseemly" uproar in the House of Representatives this afternoon when it was raised by Social Inclusion Minister Tanya Plibersek.

Ms Plibersek quoted the news.com.au report of the incident but was then effectively shut down by Opposition members.

Liberal MP Sophie Mirabella called her "you feminist hypocrite" before the minister could start her comments, and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott told the House Senator Bushby had apologised.

Deputy Liberal lead Julie Bishop demanded Ms Plibersek withdraw claims senior Opposition figures were sexist.

Speaker Harry Jenkins said the issue was threatening to make proceedings in Question Time "absolutely unseemly".

The minister's further comments could not be heard when another Liberal MP, Bronwyn Bishop, also rose on a point of order.

'Feral, sexist goons'

Earlier, Treasurer Wayne Swan used the episode to

accuse the Coalition of being "feral''

and behaving like sexist "goons''.

"I think the Finance Minister was absolutely right not to put up with the rudeness and the sexism of Tony Abbott's goons,'' Mr Swan said.

"It's been on display for a while now as the Federal Opposition behave in a way which I can only describe as being feral.

"It's certainly not responsible and it's not what the country needs.''

'She was like an angry cat ... I like cats'

A spokeswoman for Senator Bushby accused Senator Wong of being overly sensitive and using her “gender” to hide her over-reaction to a simple request.

However, the senator later told news.com.au that he had not intended to attack Senator Wong because she was a woman.

“Her reaction to the issue of the secretary's appearance was like that of an angry cat. It could have been a male or female cat,” he said.

“So I thought she was like an angry cat, the way they sometimes strike out. I like cats.”

He issued a statement of apology this afternoon, saying he had attempted to contact her but she had not been available.

"I am sorry that Senator Wong has felt offended by my reaction," the statement said.

'I've just got a cold'

West Australian Liberal Mathias Cormann accused Senator Wong of being in a bad mood.

“I’m fine,” she replied. “I’ve just got a cold, that’s all.”

Today's incident is the second time a Liberal has made a cat noise at a female Labor minister.

The first was in 2008, when Deputy Liberal Leader Julie Bishop went "meow” at Julia Gillard and then made a hand motion to resemble cat claws.

- With Herald Sun