BA News – Breaking News Updates Latest News Headlines
Prime Minister Scott Morrison is standing by his hand-picked NSW candidate for Warringah, Katherine Deves, following calls for her to be disendorsed over anti-trans comments.
Speaking in Melbourne on Saturday, Mr Morrison said he did not support the views of NSW Treasurer Matt Kean, who on Friday night demanded the Prime Minister dump the Liberal candidate over her views.
It comes after former Prime Minister Tony Abbott also called for an end to the “pile on” of a “brave woman.”
Mr Morrison said he would not be “joining the pile on” and that Ms Deves had “learnt the lessons” of communicating on issues she was passionate about, and backed Mr Abbott’s endorsement of her.
“I think as we look at these issues and the debates which (are) sensitive debates, they can be controversial debates, it is always important to show respect for the person sitting across the table from you,” Mr Morrison said.
“We may not always agree, but when we disagree, it is important that we disagree better. And so I think the comments that Katherine has made obviously were insensitive and she has admitted that.
“I’m not joining that pile on and she has learned from her experiences. . .she has sought to deal with the issues in the past, and I have no doubt she will pursue these issues in a more sensitive way.”
Ms Deves came under fire this week for making comments that compared her campaign to prevent transgender athletes from competing in women’s sport to the Holocaust.
She was also forced to apologise for past comments where she said she was “triggered” by the LGBTQI+ flag, and that transgender people had been “surgically mutilated”.
“Katherine has learned from those experiences,” Mr Morrison said.“I don’t share Matt (Kean)‘s view. I share Tony Abbott’s view. I have no-doubt she will pursue these issues in a more sensitive way.”
Mr Abbott, who used to hold the seat of Warringah, backed Ms Deves’ on Friday and said she was a “tough, brave person who’s standing up for the rights of women and girls”.
Meanwhile, Mr Kean said this was “not an intolerant society”.
“These kinds of horrendous views are not okay, and I’m sure the voters of Warringah agree. Time for the Liberal Party to beat them to it and disendorse her,” he said.
“There is no place in a mainstream political party for bigotry.
“Coming out as transgender would be hugely challenging, especially for kids, and political leaders should be condemning the persecution of people based on their gender, not participating in it.”
