Aussie Politicians - Blind to danger of LGBT Safe Schools Program taxpayer funded $8million
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| English: , Liberal Senator for South Australia (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Liberal senator Cory Bernardi was among those leading the charge against the Safe Schools program, an anti-bullying program funded by Labor and launched by the Coalition two years ago.
Senator Bernardi has called on the Government to withdraw funding for the program, which he said was indoctrinating students.
He has faced criticism from Labor over his remarks and today interjected while Opposition Leader Bill Shorten was addressing media on the issue.
Senator Bernardi stated: "At least I'm honest, Bill."
Mr Shorten responded by saying: "At least I'm not a homophobe."
He went on to say that children have a right to school and not be bullied over their sexuality or gender identity.
"If they've got questions about their sexuality, they deserve the right to be able to get answers and be supported and not oppressed," Mr Shorten said.
"Malcolm Turnbull needs to get a grip on his party and just say 'listen, we are not going to have this right-wing agenda distracting from the big issues of Australia'.
Senator Bernardi has responded to the remarks on social media, tweeting that "it's disappointing someone seeking to be PM resorts to name calling when confronted with a different policy view".
He also addressed the Senate, describing Mr Shorten's comment as a "Mark Latham moment".
"What I'm critical of is that those of a differing opinion, do not engage in the merits or the facts or otherwise of the debate," he said.
"What they resort to is name calling."
