Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young is consulting an attorney after vile, sexist comments made by Liberal Democrats senator David Leyonhjelm.  She is urging him to stand down.

"I believe he has proven himself incapable of showing respect and is unfit to represent not only women, but all decent Australians, in our nation's parliament," Senator Hanson-Young said in a statement on Monday.  "I will not be intimidated or bullied by offensive and sexist slurs on my professional reputation," she added.

This started last Thursday during a Senate debate on Australia's problem with violence against women, which just added to the stunning awfulness of the comments.  Leyonhjelm chose that moment to "stop shagging men"; when she confronted him, he dropped an F-bomb.

"I asked whether I heard him correctly.  He confirmed he yelled 'you should stop shagging men, Sarah'," she said, "Shocked, I told him he was a creep.  His reply was to tell me to 'f__ off'."

Leyonhjelm then repeated his sin on The Outsiders' show on Sky News, which quoted him on a strap: "Leyonhjelm: Sarah Hanson-Young is known for liking men.  The rumours about her in parliament are well known."

I'd Expect A 14-Year Old To Say Something Like This

His incalcitrant refusal to apologize has left Leyonhjelm isolated.

"The comments were highly disrespectful and we need more respect in public life, not less," said Foreign Minister Julie Bishop in Melbourne on Monday.

"I would expect that apologies would be the appropriate order of the day," said Senator Simon Birmingham, a fellow cabinet member, on Sky News on Monday, "Frankly, people ought to be a little bigger and better than that."

Even former prime minister Tony Abbott condemned Leyonhjelm's "smug and self-righteous way" on 2GB radio:  "People should be better than that," he said.

The TV Network has decided to go where Leyonhjelm has refused to tread, and try to correct its error:

"Sky News wishes to apologise to Senator @sarahinthesen8 for broadcasting appalling comments by Senator @DavidLeyonhjelm earlier today, and for highlighting them in an on-screen strap," tweeted Sky News, using the account names for Sarah Hanson-Young and David Leyonhjelm.  "A producer has been suspended pending an internal investigation."