Liberal Democrat David Leyonhjelm has interrupted a Senate tribute to late sports journalist Rebecca Wilson to slam her reports on Western Sydney Wanderers fans.
Senator Leyonhjelm asked to make a statement on the Labor motion, backed by the Senate on Tuesday, acknowledging Ms Wilson's contribution to her industry.
A story she wrote last year naming and shaming football fans caused material harm and was something nobody should be proud of: "Death does not absolve us of what we did when we were alive."
Wilson passed away at the family home in the early hours of Friday last week after a long battle with the disease, her husband John Hartigan and sons Tom and Will said in a joint statement.
"Courage has always been a significant part of her DNA, no less in her desperate battle against her insidious disease," the family said.
"Rebecca kept knowledge of her illness a closely guarded secret.
"The majority of her friends, colleagues and indeed members of her family were unaware of the extent of her illness.
"She did so to limit their suffering."
The family said Wilson was a fearless sports journalist who made them proud.
"She brushed aside evil trolls, bullies and organised crime figures to prosecute her craft."
"She proved that women had an equally important role in sports journalism as her male counterparts."
There has been an outpouring of grief on social media after news of Wilson's death broke.
