Australia's new assistant minister for women has fired back at Australian of the Year Grace Tame over criticism of her appointment.
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Amanda Stoker previously supported a controversial commentator who expressed public sympathy for Ms Tame's abuser.
In 2017, Bettina Arndt published an interview with the man convicted of raping Ms Tame when she was a schoolgirl, suggesting she may have behaved provocatively.
Senator Stoker said she was supporting free speech and intellectual freedom at universities.
"The person who was being de-platformed had some controversial views about sexual assault and things like that," she told 2GB radio on Tuesday.
"She should be heard, that doesn't necessarily make her right."
Ms Tame also accused the assistant minister of supporting a "fake rape crisis" tour on university campuses.
Senator Stoker said the claim from the sexual assault survivor and prevention advocate was "utter nonsense".
"In my time as a senator I have really strongly tried to explain the deep harm that comes from the practice of de-platforming," the Queenslander said.
Ms Tame has criticised Senator Stoker's appointment, drawing plaudits from actor Magda Szubanski who praised the Australian of the year for speaking out.
But the Liberal-National senator said she was concerned online attacks could deter other women from entering politics.
"They say they want more women to be contributing to our political and public sphere," Senator Stoker said.
"But yet when women who don't necessarily think the same way as them or might value the choices of women that are a little bit different than theirs, they can be very nasty about it."
Ms Arndt last year received an Australia Day award for her contribution to gender equity, which was roundly criticised by survivor advocates.
However, Senator Stoker publicly backed the award.
Ms Tame said in appointing the senator to the new role, the prime minister was either ignorant of the issues, or understood them and was making calculated moves to perpetuate them.
Scott Morrison brought together senior colleagues on Tuesday at the first meeting of the new cabinet women's task force.
Minister for Women Marise Payne, who co-chaired the inaugural meeting in Canberra, said the group's priority would be responding to the Respect at Work report.
The report was completed more than a year ago by Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins as Australia lagged behind other countries in preventing workplace harassment.
Senator Payne said the task force would also help women thrive in the budget process.
The prime minister said the women brought "the right experience, the right lens, the right focus, the right priorities and importantly the right values".
Australian Associated Press
