Labor Senator Penny Wong has hit back over comments she failed to condemn the stalking of Liberal MP Nicolle Flint.
Boothby MP Nicolle Flint took aim at Senator Wong on Monday during a parliamentary inquiry into the 2019 federal election.
Ms Flint recounted one of the “scariest experiences of her life”, alleging she was stalked and photographed by a man during the campaign.
Senator Wong had campaigned in Boothby with Labor candidate Nadia Clancy.
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READ NOW“Nowhere can I find her (Senator Wong) condemning the behaviour of the stalker and condemning the disgusting sexist and misogynistic vandalism of my campaign office,” Ms Flint said.
But in a fiery response, the senior frontbencher hit back.
“Ms Flint continues to insist the inappropriate behaviour of an individual was part of a co-ordinated sexist campaign against her,” Senator Wong said.
“This has no basis in fact.”
Senator Wong said she spoke out in August when Ms Flint “has actually been the subject of sexist criticism”.
“I look forward to similar support from Ms Flint the next time I am subject to abuse for being Asian, gay or a woman,” Senator Wong said.
“Ms Flint should now meet her own standards and publicly condemn the behaviour of her close friend, ally and campaign manager Sam Duluk, who she continues to campaign with despite him being charged with assaulting a woman in state parliament.”
Mr Duluk, a former state Liberal MP, was charged in April after he allegedly assaulted fellow MP Connie Bonaros at a parliamentary Christmas party.
Ms Flint did not comment on Mr Duluk but said the “absence of senior Labor women condemning what I experienced makes it all the more likely these things will happen again to other women”.
Clarence Gardens resident Dave Walsh received a stalking caution from SA Police after he was reported for taking photos of Ms Flint but was not charged with an offence.
Mr Walsh, who died in the past year, denied ever being a member of the political activist group GetUp, which Ms Flint claims targeted her in the lead-up to the election.
Mr Duluk is due to appear in Adelaide Magistrates Court on October 6.