Senator David Bushby's cat call at Penny Wong sparks sexism row - Polidicks

[img]http://resources3.news.com.au/images/2011/06/01/1226067/189611-penny-wong.jpg[/img] Penny Wong described Senator Busby's behaviour as extraordinary and accused the Libs of double standards. Picture: Kym Smith Source: [url]http://www.news.com.au/national/senator-david-bushbys-cat-call-at-penny-wong-sparks-sexism-row/story-e6frfkvr-1226067184590[/url] [release] * Senator interrupts Penny Wong with "meow" * Minister accuses Libs of double standards * "It's not schoolyard politics, mate" A LIBERAL senator has apologised after sparking a sexism row when he made cat noises at Finance Minister Penny Wong in Parliament. [url=http://www.davidbushby.com.au/]Tasmanian Senator David Bushby[/url] left Senator Wong fuming when he interrupted her appearance at a committee hearing with a “meow”. [url=http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/senators/homepages/senators.asp?id=00AOU]Senator Wong[/url], who was under pressure to explain the absence of Treasury Secretary Martin Parkinson from the hearing, described Senator Bushby’s behaviour as “extraordinary” and accused the Liberals of double standards. Do you think Senator Bushby went too far? Tell us below in comments “It is just extraordinary. The blokes are allowed to yell but if a woman stands her ground, you want to make that kind of comment. It's not schoolyard politics, mate,” she said. And Treasurer Wayne Swan has used the episode to [url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/wayne-swan-outraged-after-senator-meows-at-minister-penny-wong/story-fn7x8me2-1226067194541%20]accuse the Coalition of being "feral''[/url] and behaving like sexist "goons''. "I think the Finance Minister was absolutely right not to put up with the rudeness and the sexism of Tony Abbott's goons,'' Mr Swan said. "It's been on display for a while now as the Federal Opposition behave in a way which I can only describe as being feral. "It's certainly not responsible and it's not what the country needs.'' [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHeDD9tnFw4[/media] A spokeswoman for Senator Bushby accused Senator Wong of being overly sensitive and using her “gender” to hide her over-reaction to a simple request. However, the senator later told news.com.au that he had not intended to attack Senator Wong because she was a woman. “Her reaction to the issue of the secretary's appearance was like that of an angry cat. It could have been a male or female cat,” he said. “So I thought she was like an angry cat, the way they sometimes strike out. I like cats.” He issued a statement of apology this afternoon, saying he had attempted to contact her but she had not been available. "I am sorry that Senator Wong has felt offended by my reaction," the statement said. West Australian Liberal Mathias Cormann accused Senator Wong of being in a bad mood. “I’m fine,” she replied. “I’ve just got a cold, that’s all.” Later, the Bushby-Wong exchange threatened to bring on "unseemly" uproar in the House of Representatives when it was raised by Social Inclusion Minister Tanya Plibersek. Ms Plibersek quoted the news.com.au report of the incident but was then effectively shut down by Opposition members. Liberal MP Sophie Mirabella called her "you feminist hypocrite" before the minister could start her comments, and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott told the House Senator Bushby had apologised. Deputy Liberal lead Julie Bishop demanded Ms Plibersek withdraw claims senior Opposition figures were sexist. Speaker Harry Jenkins said the issue was threatening to make proceedings in Question Time "absolutely unseemly". The minister's further comments could not be heard when another Liberal MP, Bronwyn Bishop, also rose on a point of order. Today's incident is the second time a Liberal has made a cat noise at a female Labor minister. The first was in 2008, when Deputy Liberal Leader [url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/national/cats-claws-are-out-in-parliament/story-e6freuzr-1111118206988]Julie Bishop went "meow” at Julia Gillard[/url] and then made a hand motion to resemble cat claws. - With Herald Sun[/release]

Oh please, it's Australia. She should have turned around and blown the man a kiss :v:

Seems petty to be so upset about this, and I don't see any sexism here either. Sure, it's very rude of him to do, but it's just a rude motion, I don't see how it's sexist in the slightest. And the fact that she instantly jumped to sexism as soon as he did it just seems stupid. Obviously the guy is a twat and shouldn't behave like that if he's going to be a Senator, but really? Sexism? I know that the angry cat joke is often directed at women, but this doesnt strike me as him thinking women are inferior, rather that he's immature.

Nyan

[img]http://www.sinus.cz/~milan/liberals.png[/img]

[QUOTE=Awesomecaek;30174261][img]http://www.sinus.cz/~milan/liberals.png[/img][/QUOTE] Wrong type of liberals [editline]1st June 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=Kopimi;30174237]Seems petty to be so upset about this, and I don't see any sexism here either. Sure, it's very rude of him to do, but it's just a rude motion, I don't see how it's sexist in the slightest. And the fact that she instantly jumped to sexism as soon as he did it just seems stupid. Obviously the guy is a twat and shouldn't behave like that if he's going to be a Senator, but really? Sexism? I know that the angry cat joke is often directed at women, but this doesnt strike me as him thinking women are inferior, rather that he's immature.[/QUOTE] This behavior is Aussie politics in a nutshell. You should see what happens in the lower house sometimes

ah yes the wonderful world of parliament

watching the video I saw that one of the representatives was texting.. I've seen this happen in the American congress as well.. Why the fuck are people who are supposed to be representing our countries behaving worse than highschoolers? You would think they'd be strict about paying fucking attention to the fact that YOU'RE IN CHARGE OF WHAT HAPPENS TO THE COUNTRY, but apparently they can function just fine while Tweeting and reading texts.

[QUOTE=Noth;30174299]Wrong type of liberals [editline]1st June 2011[/editline] This behavior is Aussie politics in a nutshell. You should see what happens in the lower house sometimes[/QUOTE] Uh the liberals here actually do suck huge dicks.

[QUOTE=Awesomecaek;30174261][img]http://www.sinus.cz/~milan/liberals.png[/img][/QUOTE] The liberals in Australia are actually better than the ALP. Anyway, that guys an idiot for doing that.

[img]http://resources3.news.com.au/images/2011/06/01/1226067/189611-penny-wong.jpg[/img] Is this a man or a woman

Who would cat call at that Unless they literally meant making cat noises, but that isn't what cat calling is

[QUOTE=Hezzy;30176617]Who would cat call at that Unless they literally meant making cat noises, but that isn't what cat calling is[/QUOTE] [quote]“Her reaction to the issue of the secretary's appearance was like that of an angry cat. It could have been a male or female cat,” he said. “So I thought she was like an angry cat, the way they sometimes strike out. I like cats.” [/quote] biggest backpedal ever

[QUOTE=Hezzy;30176617]Who would cat call at that Unless they literally meant making cat noises, but that isn't what cat calling is[/QUOTE] It was more like heckling. He said "Meow!" loudly in response to one of her comments. Rude, yes. Sexist? No.

[QUOTE=Craigewan;30176629]It was more like heckling. He said "Meow!" loudly in response to one of her comments. Rude, yes. Sexist? No.[/QUOTE] it's supposed to be some reference to bitchiness or something see catfight