Heffernan links child sex, cattle trades

Liberal senator Bill Heffernan has been blasted for referring to the child sex trade and genital mutilation when trying to make a point about live animal exports.
Senator Heffernan gatecrashed a press conference on Monday to argue in favour of resuming live exports as soon as animal welfare standards can be assured.
He said the live export trade does not need interference.
"I could talk to you about the abhorrent behaviour in some countries when girls reach puberty, they trim 'em," he said.
"There are 1.5 million kids in Asia who are tourism products for sex.
"Why, if abattoirs are right, the feedlots are right, why the hell would you interfere with the (live export) market?"
Minister for the Status of Women Kate Ellis said the comment was "extraordinarily insensitive and offensive".
"I would think that whatever your political persuasion, you can probably make your point without referring derisively to female genitalia," she said in a statement.
It's the latest "sexist commentary" flourishing under Opposition Leader Tony Abbott, she said.
"In the last fortnight we've seen Don Randall suggesting that the mining industry miners (sic) are cowering at the prime minister because she is a woman, Senator Bushby meowing at the finance minister in Senate estimates and now this disgusting comment by Senator Heffernan."
She said Mr Abbott can't keep fobbing off the incidents and must make it clear to all Australians he won't tolerate that sort of behaviour.