Rosie Batty slams decision to give Australia Day award to controversial commentator Bettina Arndt

Former Australian of the Year Rosie Batty has slammed the awarding of an Australia Day honour to controversial commentator Bettina Arndt.

The commentator was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for striving to achieve ‘gender equity through advocacy for men’.

Ms Batty said her immediate reaction was ‘one of utter incredulity’ and she felt ‘sickened’ by the announcement.

Ms Batty (pictured left) tragically lost her son Luke (pictured right), when he was murdered by his father Greg Anderson at a cricket match

The campaigner has publicly spoken out about domestic violence after she tragically lost her son Luke when he was murdered by his father Greg Anderson at a cricket match.

‘It makes me question the legitimacy of the awards system in the entirety across the spectrum,’ Ms Batty told news.com.au.

Ms Arndt had been criticised in 2018 when she interviewed convicted pedophile Nicolaas Bester, who sexually assaulted a student while working as a maths teacher in Tasmania.

Ms Arndt received an AM for her work striving towards ‘gender equity through advocacy for men’

Ms Arndt (right) had been criticised in 2018 when she interviewed convicted pedophile Nicolaas Bester (left)

Bester was convicted in 2011 of maintaining a relationship with a young person and sentenced to two years and 10 months in jail. 

He was released after serving 19 months but in 2016 he was jailed again for the production of child exploitation material. 

Ms Arndt has also been slammed for her views on domestic violence.

‘I cannot help but be appalled that someone who minimised violence towards women who is part of the inevitable pushback and backlash that we all experience as we pioneer a way forward, would be awarded,’ Ms Batty said of the appointment.