One Nation NSW leader Mark Latham has been condemned by prime minister Anthony Albanese and party founder Pauline Hanson for making a homophobic remark aimed at independent MP Alex Greenwich.
This morning Mr Latham replied to a tweet which quoted comments from Mr Greenwich about a violent protest at St Michael's Church in Sydney's west last week.
More than a dozen LGBT protesters were rushed by hundreds of men outside an event at the church where Mr Latham spoke about parental rights and religious freedom.
In an article Mr Greenwich called Mr Latham a "disgusting human being" who risks causing a "great deal of damage to our state".
About 10am on Thursday Mr Latham replied to the tweet from March 22 with "Disgusting?" followed by a graphic and homophobic comment.
The ABC has chosen not to publish the full comment.
Mr Greenwich, an openly gay man who is married to his long-term partner, said he didn't want to directly respond to the now deleted tweet.
"I understand this tweet has been taken down, and I don't intend to engage with the matter further," he said in a statement.
"My focus in the parliament will be working with the majority of members who support the LGBTQ community to progress important reforms."
When asked about the tweet during an interview, he said he wasn't surprised he had been targeted.
"When you're in public office as an openly proud gay man you're going to get targeted but I'm more focused on the majority of people across the state who love, support and celebrate the LGBTQI community."
"I am not going to get an apology from Mark Latham so I'm not going to expect an apology. No point asking."
One Nation founder and leader Pauline Hanson said she and her party associates did not condone the remarks and she has asked Mr Latham to apologise publicly.
"I think (the comments) are disgusting," she said in a video on Facebook.
"I've actually tried to ring Mark a couple of times to no avail and I have clearly sent a text message to him telling him my views."
Mr Albanese told 10 News "hateful speech" was never warranted and added nothing to public disclosure.
"I am concerned that with social media we seem to have a circumstance whereby people would say things through various applications they'd never say to someone face to face and we know that can be very hurtful and it can have drastic consequences."
Former federal Labor leader Mr Latham looks set to be successfully re-elected to the NSW upper house after Saturday's election.
He had only served four of his eight-year term but took advantage of a loophole which meant he could resign, re-run at the top of the ticket and attempt to have his original seat filled by a second One Nation candidate.
Former NSW Labor MP Tania Mihailuk took that second spot on the One Nation ticket but according to ABC chief election analyst Antony Green she is unlikely to secure enough votes to double the party's presence in the Legislative Council.
New environment minister — and the first out lesbian in the NSW parliament — Penny Sharpe said she felt "physically sick" after reading the comment.
"It's been a long time since I've seen something that awful said out loud in public, it really is completely unacceptable," she said.
"People have been bullied over these issues over time. I've worked with families whose sons were murdered in the 70s and 80s through violence against gay men.
"This is a serious matter and it brings back a lot of terrible memories that really I thought we had gotten through."
Ms Sharpe said Mr Latham's words could have a huge impact, especially on young LGBT people.
"They shouldn't be listening to this kind of material, we love every person no matter who they are.
"It also doesn't reflect who New South Wales is, we've just had World Pride, this incredible celebration of inclusion and people really being able to be who they are.
The ABC has requested comment from Mr Latham.
Greens MP for Newtown Jenny Leong said the slur was "outrageous, hate-filled bile" and those elected to parliament needed to take a stand against Mr Latham.
"It is clear that all political parties, all independents elected to the new parliament need to take a stand and refuse to work with this toxic man," she said.
"The only reason One Nation gets any power in our democracy and our parliaments is because political parties and elected representatives continue to work with them."
Mr Greenwich is one of three independents who have offered supply and confidence to the new Chris Minns government which looks set to govern in minority in the lower house.
Mr Greenwich has championed LGBT issues since he was first elected in 2012 and said his priority in the newly-elected parliament was to ban gay conversion therapy and introduce an equality bill.
