Senate votes to censure Liberal Democrat senator David Leyonhjelm

The Senate has voted 30-28 to censure David Leyonhjelm over his comments about Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young.

Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young and Liberal Democrats senator David Leyonhjelm during a debate at the National Press Club. Picture: AAP

The Senate has voted 30-28 to censure Liberal Democrat senator David Leyonhjelm for:

1. humiliating and intimidating a fellow female senator (Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young) by making derogatory, defamatory and sexist statements about her during a formal division in the Senate;

2. inflaming the situation by publishing and republishing further derogatory, defamatory and sexist statements concerning the fellow female senator in the media and on social media;

3. refusing to apologise for his derogatory, defamatory and sexist statements; and

4. failing to uphold the dignity of the chamber and ensure it is a place where all senators are able to freely and respectfully contribute to debate and deliberations, as expected of senators by the Australian people.

The government and crossbenchers Fraser Anning, Cory Bernardi, Brian Burston and Pauline Hanson voted with Senator Leyonhjelm against the motion, saying it was not warranted on this occasion, while Labor and crossbencher Derryn Hinch voted with the Greens to censure him.

Centre Alliance senators Stirling Griff and Rex Patrick, One Nation senator Peter Georgiou and South Australian independent Tim Storer abstained.