Nazi row ends in Senate tears

Liberal senator Sarah Henderson has burst into tears and accused Labor minister Murray Watt of verbally attacking her in the Senate and insinuating she supported Nazi sympathisers.

Opposition education spokeswoman Sarah Henderson breaks down while making a statement in the Senate on Friday.

Liberal senator Sarah Henderson has burst into tears and accused Labor minister Murray Watt of verbally attacking her in the Senate and insinuating she supported Nazi sympathisers, in a statement she says “will be seared into my memory for a very long time”.

It follows Senator Henderson coming under fire for text messages sent to Victorian Liberal leader John Pesutto urging him not to expel MP Moira Deeming for appearing at a rally in Melbourne alongside neo-Nazis last week.

The rally – organised by anti-trans activists and joined by neo-Nazis later in the day – sparked a push from the federal Coalition to ban Nazi symbols, salutes and uniforms.

Peter Dutton attempted to suspend standing orders in the house on Wednesday to have the private members’ bill debated, but was blocked from doing so by the government because it had not seen the legislation before it was presented.

The debate was brought on again to suspend standing orders on Friday, this time in the Senate, with the government reiterating its position that the Coalition had brought on the legislation without proper process.

During the debate, Senator Watt pointed across the floor at Senator Henderson and made a remark about whether those opposite would expel her because of her support for Ms Deeming.

Numerous sources in the chamber from both sides of politics agreed the insinuation was that Senator Henderson was supportive of Nazi sympathisers.

Senator Henderson broke down in tears following Senator Watt’s interjection and said he had “said the most disgraceful thing and should withdraw it”.

Labor’s Murray Watt. Picture: AAP

“I am disgusted in you,” she screamed across the chamber.

Senator Watt withdrew the comment but made clear he was simply “referring to text messages Senator Henderson sent”.

Hours later, Senator Henderson stood to make a personal explanation to the Senate.

“Senator Watt interjected (and) pointed directly towards me and said words that I will not ­directly repeat and that no other person should repeat. They were abhorrent and offensive,” she said.

“Since I was elected in 2013, I do not recall in this chamber or the other chamber a more distasteful statement. The precise words uttered by Senator Watt will be seared into my memory for a very long time.”

Senator Watt in his personal explanation said he did not intend to upset Senator Henderson.

“That’s why I withdrew my remarks,” he said. “I asked Liberals why they were not condemning their own senators who are texting Victorian Liberal leader Mr Pesutto to support Victorian MP Moira Deeming who recently stood with neo-Nazis.”

But Senator Henderson said Senator Watt had “improperly misrepresented the abhorrent and off­ensive statement” he had made.

“I will now be referring this matter to the president of the Senate,” she said.