Scott Morrison has backpedalled after flagging the Coalition might support a bill banning transgender women from playing women’s sport, following a backlash from Liberal moderates and independents.
Morrison said on Wednesday the Coalition “does not have any plans” for Liberal senator Claire Chandler’s private bill to become a government one.
The change of tack came as the government was forced into damage control over offensive social media posts about trans issues by Morrison’s hand-picked candidate for Warringah, Katherine Deves.
Morrison said on Wednesday he was unaware of the history of offensive comments by Deves including her labelling of trans kids as “surgically mutilated”. Her opponent, independent MP Zali Steggall, seized on the comments and called for Deve’s disendorsement.
On Monday, Morrison had said Chandler was “outspoken and brave on these issues” and he would “have more to say about that at another time” – widely interpreted as a sign the government could back the bill.
Morrison also spoke in glowing terms on Monday about Deves, who co-founded the Save Women’s Sport organisation, which campaigns to restrict trans women playing in female sporting competitions.
“She’s standing up for things she believes in and I share her views on those topics,” Morrison said. “This is just about, you know, common sense and what’s right. And I think Katherine’s right on the money there.”
Senior ministers Simon Birmingham and Anne Ruston have declined to back the Chandler bill, while Liberal senator Andrew Bragg said it was unnecessary and MP Bridget Archer reiterated her view the proposal was a “vanity bill” that was not government policy.
On Wednesday, news.com.au revealed Deves had apologised for social media posts she has since deleted in which she described trans kids as “surgically mutilated and sterilised” in a tweet with a photograph of a teenager who had undergone top surgery.
Morrison subsequently said Deves had “apologised and withdrawn” her earlier social media comments which included that she was “triggered” by the rainbow pride flag.
“I get triggered by it,” Deves had said.
“Whenever I see it on social media I think ‘What now? What are they demanding now?’ And I grew up with gay relatives and siblings and hung out in Surry Hills and X in Sydney in the 1990s. Lots of LGB family and friends, their movement has been destroyed.”
Deves said she stood by her “desire to ensure we protect the safety of women and girls and our entire community”.
“However, the language I used was not acceptable, and for that I apologise,” she said on Wednesday.
Steggall said the fact Deves deleted her social media accounts “shows that she knew just how toxic, ill-informed and offensive her comments and views were”.
“Her appalling and divisive comments were well known before the prime minister selected her, which begs the question – what did he already know?” the sitting member said.
“He either knew her views and selected her anyway, or he wasn’t properly informed and made a flawed decision.”
Steggall called on Morrison to reverse his “appalling captain’s call” and disendorse Deves.
Asked about his earlier praise of Deves’ advocacy, Morrison said on Wednesday he was not aware of the views expressed in social media posts.
“I was referring to the bill that is being brought forward by senator Chandler,” he said.
Morrison told 2GB Radio on Monday that Deves was “standing up for something really important, and that is to ensure that, you know, when it comes to girls playing sport and women playing sport, that they’re playing against people of the same sex”.
“It is a private member’s bill,” Morrison said on Wednesday. “The government does not have any plans for that to be a government bill. It’s a private member’s bill, and I have told you very clearly what my views on that bill are, so I have been upfront.”
Despite Morrison’s personal approval, if Chandler’s bill is not backed by the government it is likely to fail, as Liberal moderates including in the ministry will be free to vote it down in the Senate and lower house.
Jackie Turner, trans campaigner at Equality Australia, said Deves’ “comments about transgender people and our families are an example of the dehumanising abuse that trans people, and the broader LGBTIQ+ community, encounter every day”.
“The candidate may have apologised for the language she used, but the kind of misinformation she has perpetuated results in the extreme levels of marginalisation of trans people, and some of the worst mental health outcomes in the community,” Turner said.
“We call on all parties and candidates to treat trans and gender diverse people with dignity and respect.”
On Wednesday, the Greens leader, Adam Bandt, said Morrison’s earlier support for the bill was about “an attempt to start up a devastating culture war that has the potential to claim lives”.
“When conservatives are behind in the polls, they punch down,” Bandt told reporters at the National Press Club.
“I will not be joining the prime minister in trying to prosecute a culture war when lives are at stake. Among transgender children, nearly half of them have reported attempted suicide … trans rights are non-negotiable for the Greens.”
Teddy Cook, the vice-president of the Australian Professional Association for Trans Health, wrote in February: “Just like everyone in this country, we deserve protection under the law. Please don’t forget that trans people are not an ideology; we are real, and we are someone you know.”
