It should be emphasised that in
Australian slang, a
bastard is not necessarily derogatory; in fact it can be a term of endearment. For example a woman might say to her husband, "Give me a hug, you bastard!". "Poor bastard" for instance is a term of pity for someone who's fallen on hard times.
In the television miniseries Bodyline, which was about cricket, there was an Englishman who was called a bastard on the field. The following dialogue ensued in the change rooms.
Englishman: I DEMAND an apology for being called a "bastard!".
Australian Captain: "Righto! Listen up, you bastards! Which one of you bastards called this bastard a bastard?".