The Member for Fairfax said in Parliament on Monday, “Why should Australian citizens and businesses be taxed, and working women discriminated against, just so that the prime minister’s chief of staff can receive a massive benefit when she gets pregnant?”
The remarks were followed by a chorus of criticism from MPs on both sides of politics.
Leader of the House Christopher Pyne labelled the comments “cowardly” and “ignorant” and demanded an apology.
“It would be an appropriate thing for him to return to the parliament at some point and apologise to the chief of staff for making statements which quite clearly are cowardly because she cannot defend herself,” Pyne said.
Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop said the comments were “particularly hurtful” in the context of Ms Credlin’s publicised attempts to have a child through IVF.
“For him to accuse the PM of putting in place a policy to benefit her is particularly hurtful in these circumstances,” Ms Bishop said.
“Of course he can debate policy but he shouldn’t debate staff members in doing so.”
Palmer United Party MP, Clive Palmer.
Palmer United Party MP, Clive Palmer.
Palmer United Party MP, Clive Palmer.
On the Labor side, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said “our arguments should be about the issues.”
“There is more than enough wrong with Tony Abbott’s unfair and unaffordable paid parental leave scheme for politicians to focus on, just ask any Liberal or National Party MP.”
Mr Palmer however is refusing to apologise and on Tuesday told reporters “If people don’t agree with me that’s fine.”
He denied that his comments were sexist by singling Ms Credlin out.
“I believe as chief of staff, regardless of whether she is a woman or man, she exercises undue influence on government policy to the detriment of many of the elected members of parliament.”
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
