A PROGRAM that aims to reduce the bullying of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex students should ‘‘never be funded again’’, according to Bass Liberal MHR Andrew Nikolic.
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Mr Nikolic was among Coalition backbenchers who spoke out strongly against the Safe Schools program, which has led to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull requesting a review to determine whether its content is ‘‘age appropriate’’.
It’s understood Mr Nikolic and other conservative MPs raised concerns with the program, which has been rolled out in 16 Tasmanian schools, at a party room meeting on Tuesday.
Mr Nikolic said his office had received complaints from parents about the program.
‘‘Young kids are being told their gender is not defined by their genitalia and only they will know if they are a boy or a girl,’’ Mr Nikolic said.
‘‘Parents must have a say on this and at the moment they are not.
‘‘I’ve raised this with my state colleagues, the federal education minister, and believe we should never fund this Labor program again.’’
The program costs $8 million, of which Tasmania receives $300,000, and is designed to promote tolerance of LGBTI students.
Tasmanian Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff said he had received ‘‘both negative and positive feedback’’ on the program.
‘‘Each school community makes their own decision about what programs are rolled out at their school,’’ Mr Rockliff said.
‘‘Schools are able to access materials which address the specific needs of their school community.’’
Tasmanian Labor senator Carol Brown said the program was designed to address ‘‘the shocking discrimination and bullying against young people who are same-sex attracted and gender diverse’’.
‘‘Our children must be safe at school and not be abused or bullied for their sexuality,’’ Senator Brown said.
‘‘Mr Nikolic needs to understand that as many as 80 per cent of LGBTI young people have experienced discrimination or abuse and a high number have attempted suicide or self- harm.’’
Tasmanian Greens senator Nick McKim said it was unfortunate that Mr Turnbull had ‘‘pandered to extremists in his party like Andrew Nikolic’’.
‘‘Rather than targeting a program designed to help young LGBTI people and their families, the government should be focusing its efforts on the broader issue of combating bullying based on sexuality and gender identity in schools,’’ Senator McKim said.
