"Taking into account Ms Arndt's well documented opinions, public commentary and media appearances - which include sympathising with a convicted paedophile and blaming and shaming victims - this award is an insult to victims of sexual abuse and to those of us who work hard every day to prevent it," she said in the letter, shared on Facebook. "Ms Arndt's views and activities diminish the devastating experiences of victim-survivors of family and sexual violence, promote division and encourage victim-survivors from taking steps to ensure their survival and safety." Ms Arndt on Wednesday night described the letter as "gobsmacking" and "absolutely hilarious". "What the hell, why is an Attorney-General buying into these half-truths?" she said. Victorian Attorney General Jill Hennessy. Credit: Jason South

Ms Arndt, 70, has been working to dispel what she has called the myth of a sexual assault crisis at Australian universities and residential colleges. The citation for her honour mentions her 2018 campus speaking tour, which was called the "Fake Rape Crisis" tour, as well as her contributions to controversial academic Jordan Peterson's website Thinkspot. It also references her books and contributions to newspapers, magazines, radio and television, as well as her service on government committees. Ms Arndt in 2017 interviewed Tasmanian sex offender Nicolaas Bester, who was jailed for raping his 15-year-old student, in a YouTube video posted under the title "Feminists persecute disgraced teacher".

Loading Last year, she apologised for her "relaxed tone" in the interview but maintained that Bester was being unfairly "hounded". On Wednesday night, Ms Arndt said calling the interview sympathetic was "misinformation". "I think it is extraordinary that an Attorney-General should rely on misinformation and muckraking," she said. "How hilarious is that? There's no end to the madness. I love it."