State Liberal MP Graham Watt refused to stand and applaud Australian of the Year Rosie Batty after her groundbreaking speech in the Victorian Parliament.
The Herald Sun reports that Mr Watt, the MP for Burwood, ‘remained seated with his arms crossed despite every other member of Parliament rising for a standing ovation.’
A Parliament video shows neighbouring Liberal member Louise Staley urging Mr Watt from his chair.
Mr Watt later released a statement, saying: “For very personal and private reasons I chose not to stand. Family violence is an issue of incredible sensitivity to me and at some point I will be making a public contribution about the indiscriminate nature of family violence.
“I am very passionate about dealing with the scourge of family violence and supporting all those who are victims of it, male and female.”
Mr Watt is believed to take issue with the idea that women are the main victims of family violence.
Former Labor leader Mark Latham criticized Rosie Batty earlier this year, saying that she gave the impression that all women were victims, and all men perpetrators.
Several MPs shared their experiences with the Victorian Parliament yesterday, with Fiona Richardson describing what it was like to live in a refuge with her Mum.
