Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has defended her decision to write a character reference for a man who was sentenced in Canberra this week on a domestic violence charge.
Senator Hanson-Young wrote the reference to help the man in his sentencing, saying the assault with which he was charged was "very out of character" and she had been "very surprised, indeed shocked".
Describing it as an "incident", she said, "I can confirm I have never seen, nor heard of, any behaviour by [the man] that is remotely violent or otherwise aggressive."
She had met him in parliament, where, "although of differing political philosophies we have ... become close friends".
She had been struck by the man's genuine concern for his partner and children, she said.
Senator Hanson-Young won a defamation case against former senator David Leyonhjelm in November after what she said was years of "hostile, sexist bullying" from him and others in the parliament. Mr Leyonhjelm was ordered to pay her $120,000 in the case after the court agreed that he had characterised her as a man-hater and also a hypocrite because she was prepared to have sex with them.
She told the magistrate's court that her friend pleading guilty to the domestic violence charge had been very supportive in her own struggle against sexism and against Mr Leyonhjelm, offering personal support and advice. He had advised her to take legal action.
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He had helped her with her book on the topic and helped her manage the emotional toll, she told the court.
"It is true to say that without [the man's] care and advice over the past few years I would not have been as confident and supported in taking on the sexist and abusive behaviour I have been subjected to," she wrote.
"I cannot reconcile the person I know as acting in any way criminally; our mutual friends are also of this view."
She told the magistrates court that he was now living back in the family home, reconciled with his partner, and "things are going well he has told me".
"Obviously [he] has told me that he has no intention of reoffending in the future, and given of what I know of his character I am confident that non-offence will occur ...
"In my view a criminal conviction would have a severe and unwarranted impact on his reputation and consequently on his work.
"I am happy to attest to his good character."
The facts tendered to court say the assault occurred on the evening December 23 when the man and his partner were at home with their two young children and had had a few drinks. She threw a wooden spoon towards him; it missed. He pushed her on to the couch, slapped her with an open hand, using his body weight to pin her down. Their children both walked in and asked them to stop fighting. She called 000.
The man pleaded guilty, and in his sentencing on Tuesday, the magistrate recorded no conviction, and handed him a six-month good behaviour order.
In a statement on Friday, Senator Hanson-Young said she had been "shocked and appalled by the man's behaviour".
"He was right to own up to it and plead guilty.
"I was asked to give a character reference with the support of both parties to help the family move on with their lives.
"I stand by my reference that his criminal conduct - which he admitted - is inconsistent with his good character.
"I do not and have never condoned or excused domestic violence, any suggestion otherwise is absurd."
