Australia’s top female politicians have called on Channel Nine to sack sporting identity Sam Newman for his latest degrading statement about women.
The controversial Melbourne AFL commentator has found himself in the firing line following an unsavoury comment he made about Tasmanian MP Paula Wriedt last week.
The comment in question was Newman’s invitation for Wriedt to appear on The AFL Footy Show - Newman said “worthy of coming on, her” - the sexual connotations immediately triggering the wrath of women.
A number of female ministers from Victoria as well as other politicians and sports identities have voiced their disgust over Newman’s alleged on-air sexist jab.
Australian Labor Party Senator Patricia Crossin said Newman sets an example that ought not be followed by footballers.
“He is everything modern footballers don’t want to be… an embarrassment to his own peers.”
Federal Liberal MP Bronwyn Bishop told News Limited that the comments went too far.
"We are a free country and I guess people want Sam on television," told News Limited.
"It's a rough and tumble show, but Sam went too far."
Newman has maintained his comment - "worthy of coming on, her" - was not sexual in nature and his employers have supported Newman’s stance that he simply used an unorthodox sentence in expressing his delight for having MP Wriedt back on the show.
Tanya Plibersek, Federal Minister for the Status of Women added that Newman's comments were offensive to women.
"No matter what women achieve, some people apparently still see them as sex objects," she said.