Anthony Albanese has been slammed by a Greens MP for comments he made in parliament about Opposition Leader Peter Dutton‘s pronouns, allegedly at the expense of LGBTIQA+ people.
In a heated debate on cost of living pressures on Wednesday, the Prime Minister referred to Mr Dutton as ‘he’ rather than calling him ‘the honourable member’.
This led to an objection from Liberal National Party MP Angie Bell.
‘Members should be called by their correct title. The Prime Minister has repeatedly called the Opposition leader “he”,’ the Queensland MP told parliament.
Mr Albanese replied: ‘Anything is possible, Mr Speaker, anything is possible on that side. I didn’t know he was a they, but anything is possible.’
His comments outraged Greens MP Stephen Bates, who took to social media demanding the Prime Minister say sorry.
‘No, Albo, we aren’t going to make jokes at the expense of the LGBTIQA+ community. The PM should be better than this and should apologise,’ he tweeted.
But Mr Bates’ offence on behalf of LGBTIQA+ people did not get the level of support he may have been expecting.
‘I’m nb (non-binary) and this is funny,’ wrote one commenter under the Brisbane MP’s tweet.
‘Sorry, long time (older) LGBTIQ community member here with trans and non-binary friends, and I found Albo’s comment amusing,’ wrote another.
‘We can take jokes you know; unlike conservatives we’re not snowflakes.’
A third said, referring to Mr Dutton, that ‘if you’re a joke then jokes should be made of you’.
Some did jump to Mr Bates’ defence.
‘Lol, you’re forgetting that Labor’s strongest base is made up of the most violently homophobic community in the country,’ one wrote.
Others sat on the fence, including the person wrote that it was ‘Not a great thing to say but no one can believe that Albo has a homophobic bone in his body.’
Some also took the opportunity to have a go at Mr Bates’ party, with one saying ‘The Greens are not serious.’
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Mr Albanese and Mr Dutton for comment.
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