Independent Sydney MP Alex Greenwich has threatened to withdraw his support for the NSW government if Dominic Perrottet continues his rhetoric about transgender children in sport.
Mr Greenwich is one of a handful of lower house crossbench MPs the Coalition relies on to govern.
The Premier has backed controversial federal Liberal candidate for Warringah Katherine Deves who was criticised this week for numerous inflammatory comments about transgender people.
“My view has always been that the issues that Katherine Deves has raised are incredibly important, but have to be dealt with sensitively,” Mr Perrottet told 2GB radio.
“I have a very strong view that people should have rights to raise issues and have public debate without being cancelled.”
Mr Greenwich wrote a letter to the Premier on Wednesday seeking an urgent meeting to discuss the matter.
“The rhetoric adds further to the already high level of stigma and discrimination that has led to high rates of suicide among trans people, especially young trans people,” his letter read.
“It’s damagixjmtzywng for transgender people to listen to politicians suddenly claim that they pose a threat to sport and should be excluded.”
Tweets from Ms Deves’ now-deleted Twitter account revealed she previously raised a link between cross-dressing and “sexual predators, even serial killers.”
Mr Perrottet was asked about the issue at a budget estimates hearing on Thursday.
“My personal view is that when it comes to competitive sport, young girls should compete against young girls,” Mr Perrottet told the hearing after being accused by Greens MP Abigail Boyd of standing with transphobes.
Mr Greenwich warned he could withdraw support from the government.
“I’ve maintained a very cooperative working relationship with the Perrottet minority government, but it would be impossible for that to continue if trans youth continue to be picked on by the Premier,” Mr Greenwich told the Sydney Morning Herald on Friday.
The Coalition currently only has 45 MPs in the lower house and relies on crossbench support to govern in the lower house.
Independent MP Greg Piper said he was also “appalled” by Mr Perrottet’s comments but remains undecided on whether he will end his support for the government.
