Safe Schools Investigation Inspires War Of Words Between Bill Shorten And Cory Bernardi

The taxpayer-funded Safe Schools program, intended to protect LGBTQI students from hate speech, has ignited a war of words between Opposition Leader Bill Shorten and Liberal senator Cory Bernardi.

Senator Bernardi, an outspoken critic of the program, passed by the Labor leader as he was addressing a media scrum this morning, and was moved to interrupt by shouting, “At least I’m honest, Bill; you’re a fraud.”

Shorten responded: “Nah mate, at least I’m not a homophobe either, mate.”

Two mates, each more cutting than the last.

Watch the political theatre below:

According to its official website, Safe Schools was founded to equip both staff and students with the skills required to combat homophobia and transphobia in the school environment, while “actively [promoting] safety, diversity, inclusion and respect for the whole school community.”

However, it was announced yesterday that Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull would launch an investigation into the program, at the urging of some Coalition MPs, including Senator Bernardi.

The review of the program is expected to wrap-up mid-March, and is primarily focussed on ensuring parents are being consulted by schools before the program's introduction, ABC News reports.

In a Facebook post, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews suggested that the investigation was merely the first step towards an inevitable shutdown.

Senator Bernardi is on the record officially calling upon the Government to withdraw funding from Safe Schools entirely.

Following his run-in with Bill Shorten, Senator Bernardi took to Twitter to air out his grievance.

It's disappointing someone seeking to be PM resorts to name calling when confronted with a different policy view. @billshortenmp

— Cory Bernardi (@corybernardi) February 24, 2016

Twitter helpfully reminded him of the exchange’s initial stone-thrower.

The Greens today announced their support for the Safe Schools Program, launching a petition that has so far amassed more than 11,000 signatures.

They also intend to move a motion to establish a senate enquiry into homophobic and transphobic bullying in the school environment.

The Safe Schools program receives Commonwealth funding of $2 million per year. In 2017, the funding agreement expires and will require re-evaluation.

Photo: ABC.