Channel Nine election panel stoush erupts: 'Stick it up your jumper'
A Channel Nine interview turned fiery on election night as a guest and Senator engaged in a heated on-air argument.
Nine journalist Alicia Loxley, who was on the election panel with several others including Liberal senator Jane Hume, was interviewing businessman Simon Holmes a Court following his tense polling booth moment with Ms Hume on Wednesday.
Follow our live blog for the latest election day updates and news
Mr Holmes a Court, who's fundraising vehicle Climate 200 is financially backing independents against Liberals and supporting Monique Ryan – who is set to unseat Treasurer Josh Frydenberg in Kooyong – confronted Ms Hume in Melbourne and accused her of spreading lies.
"Just leave me alone, Simon. Please leave me alone," Ms Hume said to Mr Holmes a Court on Wednesday.
Mr Holmes a Court issued an apology on Friday morning, but claimed she had spread misinformation about him for several years. He is also suing the frontbencher for defamation.
Loxley asked him during the election night interview whether he regretted the heated confrontation at the pre-poll booth.
"Look, Jane has for a long time spread lies and mistruths about me. I've asked her publicly to withdraw and she won't. I asked her in a public forum. Probably wasn't the place to do it but I'm looking forward to that retraction of lies from Jane Hume," he said.
He was then accused of not answering the question, and he responded: "I gave my apology, I don't think that was an appropriate place for it but I hope we can get a resolution and she can withdraw the lies as we come out of this election."
When Ms Hume was asked to respond, she slammed Mr Holmes a Court's behaviour as "disgraceful".
"I got a sorry, not sorry," she said.
"If you see the full video [of the confrontation], it was a set-up. Simon, it was pretty disgraceful behaviour. I hope it took some paint off your celebrations tonight."
Mr Holmes a Court then said he looked forward to getting her full apology before she told him to "stick it up your jumper".
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg was facing a strong challenge from Independent Monique Ryan in the seat of Kooyong, and he announced to supporters on Saturday night it would now be difficult for him to hold his seat.
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play.
