Federal Greens leader Richard Di Natale has been suspended after refusing to withdraw his description of Liberal senator Barry O'Sullivan as "a pig", accusing him of throwing "sexist filth" at colleagues.
Parliament descended into ugly scenes on Tuesday afternoon after Queensland LNP senator Barry O'Sullivan said Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young had "a bit of Nick Xenophon in her".
His comments came just hours after Julia Banks quit the Liberal Party — in part due to her criticism of bullying and intimidation — and sat on the crossbench as an independent MP.
The language was widely condemned by senators and was eventually withdrawn by the Queensland senator, but it triggered a reflection on treatment of women in Parliament and a rare suspension.
"We have endured on this side, days of sexist filth coming from that man," Senator Di Natale said.
"He is a pig and he should consider and reflect on the standards he is adopting in this chamber."
The Greens leader refused to withdraw those remarks and said it was important he condemn the treatment of women and the tone of Federal Parliament in recent years.
"I made a commitment to all of our team that I wouldn't stand for it and that I would call it out when I saw it," Senator Di Natale said.
"No woman, in any workplace in Australia, deserves to endure the sexist language that is directed at them in the Parliament of Australia."
'You are not fit to call yourselves men'
Labor's leader in the Senate, Penny Wong, said the suspension was "most regrettable" and Labor's decision to support it was not an endorsement of Senator O'Sullivan's comments, which she described as "reprehensible".
Two Liberal senators have told the ABC that they were "appalled" by what Senator O'Sullivan said.
A senator has not been suspended since former Greens leader Bob Brown accused former prime minister John Howard of blackmail in 2003.
Senator Hanson-Young said she was thankful her leader did not withdraw his comments and described "disgusting slurs and abuse coming from a particular group in this place".
"Real men don't insult and threaten women," Senator Hanson-Young said.
"They don't slut shame them and they don't attack them and make them feel bullied in their workplace.
"I have sat in this chamber for weeks and weeks, months, and heard the disgusting slurs and attacks coming from a particular group in this place.
"I for one am sick of it … I will name you, because you are not fit to be in this chamber … you are not fit to call yourselves men."
Senator Di Natale's suspension will be lifted on Wednesday morning.
