Every year a group of politicians, journalists & other interested women gather together examples of sexist comments that hit the news in the previous 12 months & vote for the winners of the Ernies. I can't remember who the original Ernie was, but now I know!

Ernies and dirt dished at sexist awards Politicians, businessmen and even women have been condemned at the annual Ernie Awards, which showcase the worst of sexist behaviour.

The Ernies, now in their 18th year, were held last night at New South Wales Parliament House in Sydney.

And there was plenty of sexist material from both men and women for a room full of judges to choose from.

NSW MP Adrian Piccoli was nominated for telling Premier Kristina Keneally that her hairspray would contribute to global warming.

Columnist Miranda Devine was nominated for writing that: "Some of the world's most charming people are men who love women too much. They might not make the greatest husbands, but many women enjoy their attention, so we shouldn't be out to stigmatise energetic heterosexuality".

But with a federal election contested this year, the politics section brought the most number of nominations.

Australian Christian Lobby CEO Jim Wallace was nominated for his comments regarding Prime Minister Julia Gillard's living arrangements, when he said they would be a factor in the way many Christians voted.

Nationals Senator Barnaby Joyce got a nod for his comments after being dumped from the finance portfolio, when he said: "You lose one girlfriend, you find another one".

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott also came in for criticism, leading the field with eight nominations.

But the Gold Ernie, awarded to the night's overall winner, went to students from St Paul's College at the University of Sydney. The students set up an offensive Facebook page that encouraged rape against women.

"Always something to do with rape and consent and sexual assault wins, because that is what women just feel angriest about," Awards founder Meredith Burgmann said.

Ms Burgmann said the event aimed to highlight gender imbalances between men and women.

"Every year I think no-one's going to say anything terrible, there won't be any nominations, and yet every year we have 100, 200 nominations for terrible things that men have said in the past 12 months, so it doesn't look like it's going to stop any time soon," she said.

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Miranda Divine - right wing columnist referring to a sexual harassment case in the courts.

Our Prime Minister Julia Gillard is - 1. unmarried & living with a bloke! - 2. has no children - so has been referred to as barren (ie. knows nothing about children & family life) in the past.

Barnaby Joyce & Tony Abbot - politicians from the right - Abbott has won many Ernies.