Sky News host calls Simon Birmingham a ‘pompous git’ for criticising Katherine Deves

MP Simon Birmingham has been called a “pompous git” for his scathing assessment of Liberal colleague Katherine Deves.

Outgoing Minister for Finance Simon Birmingham has copped criticism from a conservative host on SkyNews over candid comments he made about his own political party on election night.

On Saturday, it became clear the Coalition had not gained the seat of Warringah in Sydney’s northern beaches, with Independent Zali Steggall holding on to her electorate.

Mr Birmingham, who was on the ABC’s election night panel, delivered a frank assessment of his own party’s decision to run Katherine Deves as their candidate in the Warringah electorate.

Ms Deves had attracted controversy in the last few weeks after deleted Twitter posts emerged in which she described transgender teenagers as “surgically mutilated and sterilised” — something that she initially apologised for, but then later defended.

In a scathing analysis, Mr Birmingham suggested Ms Deves had cast a pall on other Liberals because of her incendiary views and pointed out she had lost by more than the previous Liberal candidate who was ousted from the Warringah area in 2019, former Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

“To see the Liberal vote appear to be going backwards to the tune of 7 per cent (tonight), I think, sends a clear message,” he said.

“I fear that the impact in Warringah may have had something of a contagion effect on adjacent Liberal seats. (Candidates) that actually do hold the right values, but may be paying a very high price.”

But on Sunday morning, SkyNews Outsiders host Rowan Dean slammed Senator Birmingham as a “pompous git” over his comments.

Liberal candidate for Warringah, Katherine Deves and former Prime Minister Tony Abbott during the concession speech at her election party on Saturday night. Picture: Jeremy Piper

A Liberal supporter speaks to Tony Abbott, who also lost the election three years ago to Zali Steggall. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Despite the absolute political slaughter — with Ms Steggall hogging more than 60 per cent of the votes — both Ms Deves and the panel of SkyNews hosts insisted the Liberals were still popular in that area.

Outsiders hosts Rowan Dean, James Morrow and Rita Panahi were all in agreement.

Dean calling Birmingham a “pompous git” and Morrow went as far as calling Ms Deves’ outcome a victory.

Morrow pointed out Ms Deves had a smaller swing against her, of 4.7 per cent, compared to other Liberals in ‘safe seats’ like Dave Sharma from Wentworth and Trent Zimmerman in North Sydney.

The TV host said this must be proof Ms Deves’ conservative opinions were more appealing than the “squishy” values of moderate Liberals.

Finance minister Simon Birmingham.

Outgoing Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and Finance Minister Simon Birmingham. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

Ms Deves claimed her messaging resonated with “ordinary Australians” and said it was time the Liberal Party returned to its traditional roots.

“I think with me getting out there and pointing out that there are issues with this modern feminism where they can’t even identify what a woman is – I think the ordinary Australian people resonated with that, and that is why I had so much support around the country,” she said.

“I think the Liberal Party needs to get back to its Liberal values, and I think maybe this is the start of that.”

She also took her time in the spotlight to compare herself to a storm and slam Twitter users and ‘lefties’ for her embarrassing loss.

“I would like to say to my detractors that when they thought I could not withstand the storm, that I am the storm. And I am not going anywhere,” she said.

“What I am saying is common sense, but they are afraid of the lefty, lovey press.

“They are afraid of the Twitterati but ordinary Australians back me in that position.

“It seems our leaders are afraid of the left press and the Twitterati.”

Katherine Deves and Tony Abbott. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Ms Deves’ candidacy was controversial among other Liberals, not just voters, with NSW Treasurer Matt Kean calling for her to be disendorsed, and North Sydney MP Trent Zimmerman also privately urging the PM’s office to dump her.

However, former Liberal prime ministers John Howard and Mr Abbott appeared on the campaign trail with Ms Deves.

Clearly, it didn’t work.

— With Charis Chang and Sam Clench

Originally published as Sky News host calls Simon Birmingham a ‘pompous git’ for criticising Katherine Deves