David Leyonhjelm Forced To Pay $120,000 To Senator Sarah Hanson-Young Over Defamatory Comments
"It’s for every woman & girl who’s been told or made to stay silent in the face of harassment and disrespect that I took legal action. Today’s ruling is a win for them."
During his time in parliament, David Leyonhjelm seemed to revel in saying as many outrageous, offensive things as possible.
Now he’s being forced to put his money where his mouth is, after losing his defamation case against Greens Senator Hanson-Young.
He has been ordered to pay $120,000 for sexist, defamatory comments he made about her last year in parliament, and in subsequent interviews.
Can the judge force him to make it one of those huge novelty cheque’s.
— Martin.G. (@royster47) November 25, 2019
Senator Hanson-Young has praised the ruling, saying she took action for every women and girl who has ever been told to stay silent in the face of harassment.
When men do the wrong thing, they should apologise. Most men do. But when they don’t they should be called out.
It’s for every woman & girl who’s been told or made to stay silent in the face of harassment and disrespect that I took legal action. Today’s ruling is a win for them— Sarah Hanson-Young? (@sarahinthesen8) November 25, 2019
Of course, it’s not just Hanson-Young who has borne the brunt of Leyonhjelm’s tantrums. He’s raged against Malcolm Turnbull. He’s raged against Angela Bishop. He’s even raged against journalists for calling him an “angry, white man“.
So as you can imagine, people are enjoying his comeuppance.
He could have apologised unreservedly, instead he decided to double down and lie
So happy you got the vindication and victory you deserved
Still weird to hear men who think that a woman’s sex life is up for them to discuss with other men
Like it has any bearing on our credibility— ☀️?? Kel Freitas (@madeiraglow_kel) November 25, 2019
Well done. And as an added bonus this result will cause MRA’s everywhere to go in to meltdown. I’m sorry in advance for all the toxic backlash you will receive, but take slight comfort in the knowledge that you are the one who has made their heads explode.
— 3GCT (@BarrysChins) November 25, 2019
yay. Well done. Thanks for standing up so visibly to say that type of behaviour is unacceptable in any workplace x
— Jules Gollan (@JulesGollan) November 25, 2019
Congratulations! This not just a win for women (although obviously VERY important and I certainly don’t want to take away from that), but this is also a win for all rational reasonable people.
— Craig Hind (@craighind) November 25, 2019
YES QUEEN!!!!!!!
“Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women.” — Maya Angelou.
????????❤️
— Gigi (@BernardGyorgy) November 25, 2019
I can’t tell you how happy I am that you won this case against Leyonhjelm. You put a spotlight on a misogynist and you got justice. This is a major win for women and girls everywhere!
— Monday Idas. ?️?✊?✊?✊?? (@MondayIdas) November 25, 2019
Well done! I know a lot people will be sleeping very well tonight knowing how much this is gonna piss off Bolt, Devine, Jones etc ???
— Tymek (@Tymek84) November 25, 2019
The former Senator quit federal politics in February to contest the NSW election, but failed to win a seat.
The matter will return to court in December to discuss who will pay legal costs.