Tony Abbott a sexist, not a misogynist, says outgoing senator
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott is "a sexist" rather than a misogynist, a retiring politician from his party says, adding he was one of many in parliament.
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott is "a sexist" rather than a misogynist, a retiring politician from his party says, adding he was one of many in parliament.
Liberal Senator Sue Boyce, who is leaving politics at the end of the month, described former prime minister Julia Gillard's fiery misogyny speech in 2012 targeting Abbott as "powerful", and said it was "a brilliant speech" in building support for the country's first female leader.
But she said Gillard should have labelled Abbott sexist rather than misogynist.
Gillard's speech prompted a row at the time over the definition of "misogyny", with Abbott's defenders accusing her of misusing the word and saying he did not "hate women".
If we want more women in cabinet we need more women in parliament
The row prompted Australia's most authoritative dictionary, the Macquarie Dictionary, to broaden its definition of "misogyny" beyond a hatred of women to also denoting a prejudice against them.
"Sexism" is defined as discrimination based on gender.