Strip Bettina Arndt of OAM, says Victorian Attorney-General Jill Hennessy - The Australian

Bettina Arndt received an Australia Day honour for her service to the community as a social commentator and to gender equality through her advocacy for men’s rights. Picture: Channel 10

Victorian Attorney-General Jill Hennessy is attempting to have men’s rights activist Bettina Arndt stripped of her Order of Australia, saying the award “is an insult to victims of sexual abuse”.

Ms Arndt received the honour on Australia Day for her service to the community as a social commentator and to gender equality through her advocacy for men’s rights.

On Tuesday Ms Hennessy wrote to Governor-General David Hurley, urging him to cancel Ms Arndt’s award.

\Victorian Attorney-General Jill Hennessy. Picture: Mark Stewart

“Taking into account Ms Arndt’s well-documented opinions, public commentary and media appearances – which include sympathising with a convicted paedophile and blaming and shaming victims – this award is an insult to victims of sexual abuse and those of us who work hard every day to prevent it,” the letter reads.

“Ms Arndt’s views and activities diminish the devastating experiences of victim-survivors of family and sexual violence, promote division and encourage victim-survivors from taking steps to ensure their survival and safety.”

Members of the Order of Australia are meant to be about recognising the best of our nation. The most dedicated, those...
Posted by Jill Hennessy MP on Wednesday, 29 January 2020

Ms Arndt responded to the letter on Wednesday night, calling Ms Hennessy’s letter “muckraking”.

“Shame on Victoria’s first law officer, Jill Hennessy, the Victorian Attorney-General for responding to muckraking from ideologues rather than seeking proper evidence,” she said.

Shame on Victoria's first law officer, Jill Hennessy, the Victorian Attorney General for responding to muckraking from ideologues rather than seeking proper evidence. The Age tells me Hennessy has written to the Governor General asking for my AM to be revoked.
— Bettina Arndt (@thebettinaarndt) January 29, 2020

Ms Arndt has received criticism over many of her views expressed in the public sphere like her “Fake Rape Crisis” tour which argues there is a “manufactured rape crisis” on Australian university campuses or her arguments in defence of convicted pedophiles George Pell and Nicolaas Bester.

Journalist

Lachlan Moffet Gray is a cadet journalist at The Australian. He is studying law and communications at UTS and has previously worked in radio and the advisory industry.