Dumped cabinet minister Eric Abetz has taken a swipe at the Canberra press gallery, accusing it of being hostile to conservative Christian politicians.
He says the media treated him and his conservative colleagues, in particular former prime minister Tony Abbott, "unfairly".
"There is a special negative-sentiment override for those that profess the Christian faith," Senator Abetz told The Australian on Monday.
The media felt comfortable vilifying politicians like Mr Abbott because of their Christian faith, but would never dare speak the same way about people of other religions, he said.
"It is very clear that if somebody swears their oath on the Koran, this is a wonderful expression of diversity and to be encouraged, whereas if you swear your oath on the Bible then you're an old fart and not to be taken seriously."
Senator Abetz cited as an example references to Mr Abbott as the "mad monk".
"Just imagine making fun of somebody else's religion of a different nature, as in if you are a Muslim, Buddhist or a Hindu," he said.
"There is the double standard that you can basically vilify anyone from the Christian side of the tracks but don't you dare touch anyone else."
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