At least they didn't "woof" at her

I guess I kind of don't get Australian politics:

A meowing Australian senator touched off a political row in Canberra on Wednesday after his cat imitation directed at Finance Minister Penny Wong sparked accusations that the opposition behaved like sexists and goons, and were feral.

Liberal Tasmanian Senator David Bushby meowed at Wong at a hearing when Wong - Australia's first Malaysian-born and first openly gay cabinet member - fought constant interruptions.

A visibly livid Wong snapped, "Oh yes, why don't you meow when a woman does that? ... The blokes are allowed to yell, but if a woman stands her ground, you want to make that kind of comment.

"It's sort of schoolyard politics, mate."

Um, I did a two-second Google search, and it seems that Wong is a woman, so that seems somewhat confusing, even if she happens to be a lesbian. Also, is "meowing" at someone an insult in Australia?

Actually, considering that Australia is full of poison-dripping spiders and kangaroos that will beat you to death, comparing you to a kitty cat is probably a pretty clever way to call someone, well, a pussy.