Greens MP Stephen Bates calls out Anthony Albanese for joke about Peter Dutton’s pronouns in LGBTIQA+ furore
Anthony Albanese has been criticized 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 over cost of living pressures on Wednesday, the Prime Minister referred to Mr Dutton as ‘he’ instead of calling him ‘the Honorable Member of Parliament’.
This prompted an objection from Liberal National Party MP Angie Bell.
“Members must be referred to by their correct title. The Prime Minister has repeatedly referred to the Opposition Leader as “he”, the Queensland MP told Parliament.
Mr Albanese replied: ‘Anything is possible, Mr President, anything is possible on that side. I didn’t know he was a she, but anything is possible.’
His comments angered Greens MP Stephen Bates, who took to social media to demand the Prime Minister apologize.
‘No Albo, we are not going to make jokes at the expense of the LGBTIQA+ community. The Prime Minister should be better than this and apologise,” he tweeted.
Anthony Albanese (pictured on Wednesday) has been criticized by a Greens MP for comments he made in federal parliament about opposition leader Peter Dutton’s pronouns, allegedly at the expense of LGBTIQA+ people
In a heated debate over cost of living pressures, Anthony Albanese on Wednesday referred to Mr Dutton (pictured) as ‘he’ rather than calling him ‘the Honorable Member of Parliament’.
But Mr Bates’ offense on behalf of LGBTIQA+ people did not receive the support he might have expected.
“I’m NB (non-binary) and this is funny,” one commenter wrote under the Brisbane MP’s tweet.
“Sorry, I’m a long time (older) LGBTIQ community member here with trans and non-binary friends, and I found Albo’s comment funny,” wrote another.
“We can take jokes, you know; Unlike conservatives, we are not snowflakes.”
A third said, referring to Mr Dutton, that “if you’re a joke, you should be made fun of.”
LNP MP Angie Bell (pictured) objected, saying: ‘Members should be referred to by their correct title. The Prime Minister has repeatedly referred to the opposition leader as ‘he’
Greens MP Stephen Bates (pictured) was outraged by what he considered a joke at the expense of the LGBTIQA+ community
Some defended Mr. Bates.
“Lol you’re forgetting that Labour’s strongest base is made up of the most violent homophobic community in the country,” one person wrote.
Others were on the fence, including one person who wrote that it was “not great to say, but no one can believe Albo has a homophobic bone in his body.”
Some also took the opportunity to take a shot at Mr Bates’ party, with one saying: ‘The Greens don’t mean it.’
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Mr Albanese and Mr Dutton for comment.