After being accused of calling Liberal MP Cindy McLeish a “half-wit grub” during a boisterous parliamentary session, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has refused to apologize.
The remarks Mr. Andrews made to Ms. McLeish happened during a discussion on the government’s business agenda for the upcoming week.
Later, during a press conference, Ms. McLeish referred to Mr. Andrews’ remarks as “deeply offensive” and called him a repeat offender.
She requested an apology from the premier.
Because of the premier’s continued pattern of behavior, Ms. McLeish stated, “I probably wasn’t surprised.”
“That is not something a woman should have to put up with at work.”
But Mr. Andrews claimed he “had nothing to apologise for” during a contentious question period.
He claimed he was defending Kat Theophanous, a coworker, from “unwarranted” assaults coming from Ms. McLeish on the other side of the room.
In his defense, Mr. Andrews stated, “I defended the member for Northcote, an independent proud woman, and I will not be apologizing for doing that, not for a minute.”
During today’s question period, Ms. McLeish urged Natalie Hutchins, minister for women, to apologize on behalf of the government since the premier’s remark was inappropriate for a woman in the workplace.
Ms. Hutchins declined, standing up for Mr. Andrews instead.
“I stand by the premier in his commitment to gender equality in this state,” she declared.
Mr. Andrews was compelled to retract his remarks.
The head of the Liberal Party, John Pesutto, called the premier’s remarks “despicable” and suggested that Mr. Andrews leave the legislature if he could not speak politely about his opponents.
No woman should have to tolerate such hostile behavior at work, according to Mr. Pesutto.
“As premier, Daniel Andrews has a duty to set better standards, to uphold those values, and to watch out that he doesn’t act in a way that defame the parliament.
Each of us has a duty to perform in accordance with the extremely high standards and expectations of the Victorian people since we are here on their behalf.
