Tasmanian Liberal senator Wendy Askew has accused two Labor politicians of bullying their counterparts online, but one senator says it is just part of holding the government to account.
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Senator Askew made the speech in the Senate on Thursday, quickly turning the focus to her colleagues' online reaction to news that Jo Palmer was the Liberals' candidate for the Tasmanian upper house seat of Rosevears.
Senator Askew singled out Lyons MHR Brian Mitchell's social media post, which read "disappointing to learn that Jo Palmer's personal values include cutting health, keeping wages low and failing to tackle climate change", as an example of bullying.
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She was also critical of senator Helen Polley's social media activity regarding Bass Liberal MHR Bridget Archer.
"Despite calling out bullying at a local government level, Mrs Archer has continued to be subjected to such attacks now she is a federal member," senator Askew said.
"Senator Helen Polley repeatedly mentions Mrs Archer negatively in her social media posts, and there have been occasions where these mentions have been outright attacks."
Her speech came in the same week that politicians acknowledged Safer Internet Day.
Senator Polley said her online engagements regarding Mrs Archer were a way of keeping the government honest.
"I have not made any personal attacks towards the member. I make no apologies either for making her accountable for the government's decisions," she said.
"When you're a politician - and if you're a part of the government - sometimes it's not always easy to defend the government's positions. But the opposition of the day must hold the Member for Bass accountable for the decisions of the government."
In contrast, Tasmanian Greens senator Peter Whish-Wilson was praised for encouraging his followers to be kind and respectful about Ms Palmer.