Peta Credlin Slams 'Weak Men' After Labor Staffer Sacked for Crude Remarks

Peta Credlin has spoken out against what she described as "weak men" targeting strong conservative women, following the sacking of a Labor staffer for offensive social media posts and derogatory remarks about her.

Rhys Muldoon, 60, who had been advising Tasmanian Labor Senator Richard Dowling, was dismissed after historic tweets resurfaced. Among the offensive posts were sexually explicit comments directed at Credlin, a commentator and host on News24.

"She's what Liberals think of Margaret Thatcher. They picture her with a strap on, pounding away at their sorry arses," one post read, according to news.com.au. Another stated, "The tragedy of Peta Credlin... is her belief that anyone other than fetishised old white men think she contributes anything apart from a compromised boner."

Credlin criticized the Labor party for allegedly ignoring attacks on conservative women. "I think I've demonstrated more than most that I've got a pretty thick skin, but honestly, when is this going to end?" she said on her show Tuesday night. She also referenced past controversies involving Clive Palmer and abuse she received during COVID-19 lockdowns.

"This has never stopped," Credlin stated. "What is it about weak men and strong women? What is it about conservative women like me and Jacinta that we're considered fair game when others get defended?"

The remarks also targeted Liberal Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, whom Muldoon referred to as a "quisling," a term for traitor. Muldoon also reportedly used the N-word in a separate post.

Credlin questioned how Muldoon's online history was overlooked before he joined Senator Dowling's staff in July. She noted that Muldoon was not a fringe figure but had attended Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's wedding.

"His comments about me, Jacinta, Dave Sharma and others, well they were all out there on his social media feed," Credlin said. "I don't for a minute believe that this was missed when he was vetted for his job as a Labor staffer. I know that Labor vets people thoroughly."

Credlin suggested that Muldoon's posts were seen and deliberately ignored because the targets were political opponents. "It's my view that someone saw these comments and thought they could get away with them," she stated. "That the target was a conservative woman, so who cares? That giving a cosy job to the PM's best mate was worth it."

Despite the controversy, Credlin affirmed her resolve. "If the left think they can make me cower, or that I'll give up and walk away, well, think again," she said. "I am not going anywhere. This only makes me want to dig in and go harder."

Senator Dowling moved swiftly once the posts came to light. "After being alerted to abhorrent tweets from my staffer, I've decided to not continue with his casual contract," he said. "Everyone in public life has a responsibility to do better when it comes to political discourse. The words used were unacceptable at any time."

Muldoon, a former host on ABC's Play School from 2000 to 2012, had a background in political and public policy discussions. He previously collaborated on a children's book with former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and authored an essay for The Monthly that was recognized as an "essay of the year."