Nationals Senator Barry O'Sullivan has a bizarre way to try to shield himself from "grubs" attacking him for his opposition to abortion.
He declared himself a woman - a move that has attracted much derision on social media.
Senator O'Sullivan told Parliament on Wednesday he was tired of being attacked when speaking about his strong beliefs on the issue.
"I'm going to declare my gender today - as I can - to be a woman, and then you'll no longer be able to attack me," he said.
Senator Barry O'Sullivan told the senate he was tired of being attacked because of his strong anti-abortion views. (AAP) Source: AAP
The odd declaration was sparked by earlier comments made by Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi who spoke about "a new far-right conservative movement" in Australia that she said was responsible for whipping up hate and creating division among communities.
Senator Faruqi said many participants of this movement, she called "merchants of hate", were members of parliament and singled out Pauline Hanson and One Nation.
"They prey on the anxieties of Australians and offer solutions that are empty, hateful and divisive. They shadow-box with imaginary enemies, whipping up hysteria against minorities to cover for their own inadequacies. Why? Because they find it easier to destroy communities than to build them. Where is their vision?" the Greens senator asked.
It was Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi's comments in the senate that prompted Nationals Senator Barry O'Sullivan to declare himself a woman. Source: AAP
Senator O'Sullivan hit back, calling Senator Faruqi's contribution to the senate as "outrageous".
"Some of us have come in here with reasonably strong views on conservative issues, only to be attacked and frustrated by the Greens. They are so far to the Left, you wouldn't find them if you had two pairs of bifocals on at the same time. It is outrageous," he said.
"She comes in here and makes attacks on us to continue to try and marginalise those of us in this place and the other place that are centre Right conservatives. We can't open our traps. You cannot say the word 'abortion' without being attacked by this mob of almost—I would say 'grubs' if I didn't think you were going to make me withdraw it, Mr Acting Deputy President," he said.
"I will not stand silent. I will not stand mute while these people try to continue to marginalise policies and ideas that we want to discuss for this nation that I think are still largely supported by the majority of the nation," he added.
