Robert Simms (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

Like the Australian Labor Party, the Greens are at a loss to understand why this motion is being put forward, particularly when one considers that the Safe Schools program is instigated by schools themselves. It is led by staff and students and, of course, there is consultation within the school community through parent and teacher organisations within respective schools. So this is really an utterly superfluous motion. It seems to be part of the crusade led by Senator Bernardi here in this parliament to create this ridiculous argument that somehow by talking about sexual difference within schools, you encourage people to change their sexual orientation. Let me say that anybody who has the most basic understanding of human sexuality knows what an utterly ridiculous proposition that is. It is really disappointing to see our new Prime Minister, Mr Turnbull, kowtowing to Cory Bernardi in this way. He really is Tony Abbott 2.0 and it is an outrage that he is going down this path.