Thursday 19 May 2022 11:49 PM Australia election 2022: Simon Holmes a Court issues VERY salty apology to ... trends now
A multimillionaire who is financing the so-called 'teal independents' has taken a backhanded swipe at a Liberal frontbencher - even as he apologised for their fiery stoush at a polling booth.
Senator Jane Hume was canvassing with Treasurer Josh Frydenberg in his central Melbourne seat of Kooyong on Wednesday when they were approached by Simon Homes a Court.
Mr Holmes a Court has been fiercely supporting independent Monique Ryan, who is battling Mr Frydenberg for his safe Liberal seat.
In the confronting video, filmed by the treasurer, bewildered voters watched on as Mr Holmes a Court and Ms Hume clashed outside the Hawthorn polling spot.
'Just leave me alone, Simon. Please leave me alone,' Ms Hume said.
Mr Holmes a Court has since apologised for the confrontation, admitting he should not have aired their private matters in public.
'Senator Hume has repeatedly used her position to spread lies and misinformation about me for several years,' he said in a statement on Friday morning.
'Despite remaining calm throughout the conversation, it is clear that a public space was not the forum to ask her to retract her lies, and for that, I apologise to Senator Hume.'
Liberal senator Jane Hume (right) is pictured telling multimillionaire Simon Holmes a Court (left) she doesn't want to talk to him as he is 'suing' her
In the confrontation, Mr Holmes a Court disputed Ms Hume's claim she was being sued for defamation.
Ms Hume, who looked stressed by the encounter, said again, 'Simon, you are suing me for defamation. Please leave me alone.
'This may have legal implications. Please leave me alone, Simon.
'You are the son of Australia's first billionaire, you are suing me for defamation. Please leave me alone, leave me alone,' she said.
Mr Holmes a Court then turned his attention to Mr Frydenberg, who was filming it all.
'Josh, how're you doing,' he said to the Treasurer.
'I agree with everything she says,' Mr Frydenberg replied.
'You agree with her lies?' Mr Holmes a Court then asked.
'Would you like to repeat her lies?'
After a few seconds of just standing there, with nothing said by either side, Mr Holmes a Court then said 'Good on you mate.'
A male bystander is then heard saying 'Why don't you leave her alone and stop annoying everyone?'
