United Australia Party senator Ralph Babet has rejected a sanction from the Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission (IPSC) over what it deemed 'offensive' and 'disrespectful' social media comments. The IPSC found Babet breached the parliamentary code of behaviour twice in 2024 after he posted slurs including the N-word and derogatory terms for gay and disabled people.
Babet called the findings 'dumb' and said he would not undergo the 'ridiculous' sensitivity training ordered by the commission. The IPSC, established in October 2024 following the Set the Standard report, issued its first public statement on an investigation last month, revealing Babet had failed to comply with a sanction requiring him to attend one-on-one workplace behaviour training by December 2025.
The commission also asked Babet to enter a behaviour agreement refraining from racist, homophobic, sexist or demeaning language. Babet told Guardian Australia he did not believe 'out of control' bureaucrats should police his comments outside Parliament, calling the body 'very dangerous'.
Greens democracy spokesperson Steph Hodgins-May said the ruling exposed the watchdog as having 'no real teeth', adding: 'If racial slurs by sitting senators don't carry real consequences, what does?' She called for the matter to be referred to the Privileges Committee, which can impose fines, suspension or removal from committees.
A government spokesperson said the IPSC 'is deliberately and appropriately independent and operates according to their legislation'. The Senate previously censured Babet for 'inflammatory use of hate speech' in November 2024.
