Australian politician Pauline Hanson has called on women to stop "demonising men" and criticised former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins for waiting two years to push for a full police investigation over her alleged rape at Parliament House.
The One Nation Senator, who said she had spoken out on the issue of sexual assault against women in the past, described yesterday's nationwide March For Justice rallies as "anti-men".
She went on to claim the movement failed to take into consideration that not all allegations were true.
Brittany Higgins speaks at the Canberra Womens March 4 Justice in Canberra, Australia. Photo / Getty Images
"Stop demonising men," Hanson said in an interview on Sky News.
"There are false allegations, there are men who have been accused of these things that didn't, it didn't happen."
During her television appearance today, Hanson also criticised Higgins for waiting two years before pursuing her rape case.
Higgins did speak to police immediately after the alleged incident, but asked police to pause the investigation on the eve of the 2019 election because she was worried about the impact on her job.
Thousands of people with placards and banners rally demanding justice for women in Sydney. Photo / AP
Thousands of people with placards and banners rally demanding justice for women in Sydney. Photo / AP
"Brittany Higgins, she had the right to go and lay those charges,'' Hanson said. "Take it to the courts. If you've got a case for assault then you take it to the courts."
In an unrelated anecdote, Hanson told Sky News that one mother had contacted her over rape allegations involving the woman's son.
"So I was contacted by the mother. Do you know that when that actually did the test, that woman that accused him (of) rape she actually went to (do) a test, and she was found to have semen of not one but two other men, not the fellow that she accused him of rape, but (from the) other man.
"So what I'm saying is, you know, there are false allegations, some people are put in this position, that can actually destroy the lives of what has happened."
Senator Hanson has previously used parliamentary privilege to publicly accuse the ex-wife of her son of making false claims that he sexually abused his own child.
She expanded on those claims in detail in July, 2019, in the Senate, where she is protected by parliamentary privilege and cannot be sued for defamation.
"I know this feeling because, for years, my own son faced these destructive allegations in an attempt to stop him having access to his young son," she told the Senate.
"My ex-daughter-in-law claimed to police that my son was outside her home in Townsville.
Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks to the media in Sydney about rape allegations. Photo / AP
"That was despite him being sick and on the Gold Coast, some 1000 kilometres away. He was forced to defend himself, at enormous expense, and was dragged through the courts.
"She also falsely alleged – a soul-crushing claim – that my son had sexually abused his boy. Again, the false claim was designed to stop him having any connection with his son. No charges were brought against my son."
Senator Hanson also complained that men were being driven to suicide by family law matters.
"It shows you how lies and perjury are leading to the failure of Australia's family law system and contributing to the death of 21 men by suicide and the murder of one woman each week,'' she said.
"Here was this spiteful partner who thought she could prevent the father from having anything to do with their child until he was a teenager – a child who is now five years old – and she has been stopping him from seeing his son since the child was 15 months old.
"Isn't it exceptional that, when the mother faced the same outcome she wanted to inflict on my son, she couldn't handle the thought?"
Senator Hanson said the family law system was a place we have created that is "killing dads, leading to the murder of women and hurting millions of kids in the process".
Where to get help:
• If it's an emergency and you feel that you or someone else is at risk, call 111. • If you've ever experienced sexual assault or abuse and need to talk to someone call the confidential crisis helpline Safe to Talk on: 0800 044 334 or text 4334. (available 24/7) • Male Survivors Aotearoa offers a range of confidential support at centres across New Zealand - find your closest one here. • Mosaic - Tiaki Tangata: 0800 94 22 94 (available 11am - 8pm) • Alternatively contact your local police station • If you have been abused, remember it's not your fault.
