Roland Day, a former Sydney magistrate who resigned amid a judicial misconduct investigation in 2002, has sparked renewed controversy after directing a disparaging comment at Victorian Greens senator Steph Hodgins-May. Earlier this week, Mr. Day allegedly posted the phrase “stupid bitch” on the senator’s social media page, a remark that quickly went viral, garnering over 250,000 views.

Ms. Hodgins-May responded by sharing a video in which she called Mr. Day’s law office to confront him about the comment. During the call, she questioned whether it was appropriate to use “violent language” towards women and pressed Mr. Day on whether he would address his own daughter or female colleagues in the same way. A spokesperson for the senator noted that women in politics regularly encounter abusive and misogynistic language online.

Mr. Day, who returned to legal practice as a solicitor following his resignation from the bench, declined to engage extensively on the matter. In a brief statement, he referenced the possibility that the senator’s recording of their telephone exchange may have been illegal and said he did not wish to discuss the content further. “Please note that if I upset people, it was not intended to do so,” he added.

Mr. Day’s judicial career was marked by controversy. He served only one year as a magistrate at Burwood Local Court before resigning in July 2002 amid an investigation by the New South Wales Judicial Commission. The probe centered on allegations that he had improperly intervened in a criminal case. Although the misconduct hearing concluded without formal findings following his departure, a 2020 ruling by a District Court judge described Mr. Day’s time on the bench as “short and unhappy” due to his misconduct.

The latest incident has drawn attention to ongoing challenges faced by women in public life, particularly in politics, where hostile and derogatory remarks remain prevalent online. The interaction between the senator and Mr. Day highlights tensions between public figures and critics, as well as the broader issue of respectful discourse in political debate.