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Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe has withdrawn comments made under parliamentary privilege accusing Liberal counterpart David Van of sexual assault and harassment, a claim he "utterly rejects".
Van was speaking in the Senate about the handling of Brittany Higgins' rape allegations, when Thorpe began interjecting, calling out "perpetrator" and "you can talk".
As Senate deputy president Andrew McLachlan repeatedly asked Thorpe to stop, the independent senator rose on a point of order.
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"I'm feeling really uncomfortable when a perpetrator is speaking about violence," she said.
After being asked by McLachlan to withdraw the "inappropriate" comment, Thorpe continued.
"I can't because this person harassed me, sexually assaulted me and the prime minister had to remove him from his office.
"And to have him talking about this today is an absolute disgrace, on the whole party."
When given the floor again, Van labelled the accusation as "disgusting".
"I utterly reject that statement, that disgusting statement, outright. It is just a lie and I reject it," he said.
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"I withdraw the word lie. It is just not true."
Late today, Thorpe withdrew her remarks at the request of the deputy president.
"In order to comply with the parliamentary standing orders, I withdraw those remarks. For the information of the Senate, I will make a statement on the matter tomorrow," she said.
Van released a statement this afternoon further denying the allegations.
"In the chamber today, Senator Thorpe made unfounded and completely untrue allegations against me that I immediately and unequivocally denied and continue to deny," he said.
"These outrageous and reprehensible comments were made by Senator Thorpe using parliamentary privilege in the most malicious and despicable way.
"My lawyers have written to her already making my position clear in the strongest possible terms."
McLachlan said the matter would be referred to Senate President Sue Lines.
Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).
