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” rather than “the honorable member”.
This sparked an objection from Liberal National Party MP Angie Bell.
‘Members must be called by their correct title. The Prime Minister has repeatedly called the opposition leader a “he”, the Queensland-based MP told Parliament.
Mr Albanese responded: “Anything is possible, Mr President, anything is possible on that side.” He didn’t know he was a them, but anything is possible.
His comments outraged Greens MP Stephen Bates, who took to social media demanding 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 should apologize,” 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 about cost of living pressures on Wednesday, Anthony Albanese referred to Mr Dutton (pictured) as “he” rather than “the honorable member”.
But Bates’s offense on behalf of LGBTIQA+ people did not garner the level of support he had hoped for.
“I’m nb and this is hilarious,” one commenter wrote on the Brisbane MP’s tweet.
“Sorry, long-time (senior) member of the LGBTIQ community 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 are a joke then jokes should be made about you.”
LNP MP Angie Bell (pictured) objected, saying: “Members should be called by their correct title.” The Prime Minister has repeatedly called the opposition leader “he”
Greens MP Stephen Bates (pictured) was outraged by what he considered a joke at the expense of the LGBTIQA+ community.
Some did jump to Mr. Bates’ defense.
“Haha, you’re forgetting that the Labor Party’s strongest base is made up of the most violently homophobic community in the country,” one wrote.
Others remained undecided, including the person who wrote that “it’s not much of a thing to say, but no one can believe Albo has a homophobic bone in his body.”
Some also took the opportunity to attend Mr Bates’ party, with one saying: “The Greens aren’t serious.”
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Albanese and Dutton for comment.