One Nation’s Mark Latham and NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet have clashed in a heated exchange over gender policy in state schools.
Tempers boiled over during a parliamentary hearing in which Mr Latham’s bill to ban teachers discussing gender identity in schools was discussed.
Mr Latham’s proposal recommends parents be informed if a child discusses gender transition with school staff, rather than giving them the opportunity to keep the information confidential.
“How can you possibly keep parents in the dark?” Mr Latham asked the Premier.
He said he had received several parents reach out him saying they had been kept in the dark and called it a “family destroyer”.
“This is the one of the worst things I’ve seen in public life,” Mr Latham said beginning to raise his voice and drowning out the Premier.
The pair battled for to have their say before the committee chair called for order.
“You talk to these mothers,” an angry Mr Latham said.
He vowed to tell the Premier more in private about the conversations he had shared with parents.
Mr Perrottet believes parents should be informed on a case-by-case basis.
“From a sentiment perspective, I agree that parents should be informed and provided advice in relation to their children at all times,” he said.
But Mr Latham hit back.
“This is the truth that your woke cabinet won’t support the thing that you talk about,” he said. “You’re captive to these people”.
“No one’s ever called me woke in my life, you’re more woke than me,” Mr Perrottet interjected.
Transgender issues have been in the spotlight this week after NSW federal liberal candidate Katherine Deves was criticised for her controversial views.
