Morrison’s support of Deves could lose him seats as poll reveals voters turned off by trans fight

Exclusive polling reveals Scott Morrison could lose two key seats, with the PM’s support of a controversial candidate backfiring.

Scott Morrison risks losing the NSW seat of Wentworth to independent Allegra Spender, as voters emphatically reject the politics of attacking trans people to win votes.

Despite the Prime Minister’s warning he won’t allow Liberal Katherine Deves to be “cancelled” over her transgender comments – including claims there’s a link with “transvestism” and serial killers – a new poll suggests voters may cancel him.

The polling, conducted by the RedBridge group for Equality Australia — a national organisation which aims to protect the rights of LGBTIQ+ people — has also found political candidates attacking trans women, gays and lesbians lose twice as many voters as they gain, and that less than 2 per cent of voters believe trans women in sport is a big issue.

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Prime Minister Scott Morrison is risking his party’s re-election with his backing of Katherine Deves and repeated defence of her controversial views. Picture: Jason Edwards

Liberal MP Dave Sharma is at risk of losing the seat of Wentworth as voters turn away from the Liberal Party’s rhetoric on trans people. Picture: Richard Dobson

Exclusive new polling reveals Independent candidate Allegra Spender could take his seat, with local voters listing their top priority as climate change. Picture: Richard Dobson

It predicts that Independent Allegra Spender could nab the seat of Wentworth from Liberal MP David Sharma with a two-party preferred vote of 53 to 47 per cent.

That’s despite the Liberals primary vote being estimated at around 37 per cent – higher than Ms Spender’s own.

And in the battleground seat of Parramatta in Sydney’s western suburbs, it’s the same story, with Labor’s Andrew Charlton on track for victory.

“After weeks of coverage of the cruel, dehumanising misinformation used by some to divide the community and attack trans and gender diverse people, particularly trans women, this research demonstrates that the vast majority of Australians stand in support of LGBTIQ+ people, and against discrimination,’’ Jackie Turner, Trans Equality Advocate for Equality Australia said.

“This latest research reaffirms that the people of Wentworth and Parramatta agree with what we know the overwhelming majority of Australians believe – people should be treated with dignity and respect, and to be free to live their lives free from discrimination.”

Katherine Deves, who is running for the seat of Warringah, has dominated headlines after news.com.au unearthed deleted tweets which expressed vile views on the transgender community. Picture: Katherine Deves/Facebook

Vote-determining issues of Wentworth voters, as noted in the RedBridge survey.

Vote determining issues for the Parramatta electorate. Both seats were least interested in transgender participation in women’s sports, and more concerned with cost of living (Parramatta) and climate change (Wentworth).

Climate change is the biggest issue in the wealthy seat of Wentworth for 28.5 per cent of voters – not cost of living – and less than 2 per cent of voters believe trans women playing sport is a big deal.

“Once again, it’s time for every political party and candidate to follow the community’s lead, treat LGBTIQ+ people with the dignity and respect we deserve, and get on with the job of addressing the concerns of all voters in Australia – cost of living, climate change, the economy, health and aged care.” Ms Turner said.

“The people of Parramatta and Wentworth firmly believe that our laws should protect all of us, equally.”

Parramatta voters are leaning towards electing Labor candidate Andrew Charleston.

Wentworth voters still like Dave Sharma, but after receiving preferences from Labor and the Greens, Ms Spender is expected to win the seat, the polling showed.

Liberal candidate for Warringah, Katherine Deves, tried to link cross dressing men to serial killers in a deleted tweet unearthed by news.com.au

In 2016, the Prime Minister’s electorate of Cook voted 55 per cent to 45 per cent in favour of same-sex marriage.

Mr Morrison then abstained from the vote in parliament during the conscience vote.

Whether it’s the wealthy seat of Wentworth or western Sydney, the vast majority of voters also do not believe that schools should be able to sack trans teachers or expel trans teenagers according to the RedBridge poll.

In the Labor-held electorate of Parramatta, millionaire Andrew Charlton is on track to defeat the Liberals Maria Kovicic by a comfortable margin of 55 to 45 per cent on a two party preferred basis.

Asked to “what extent do you agree that religious schools should not be able to fire someone or expel a student for being transgender”, 50 per cent “strongly agreed” schools not be able to expel trans students or sack teacher. Another 18 per cent they agreed – suggesting 68 per cent of respondents did not support allowing schools to discriminate.

Wentworth voters overwhelmingly agree that transgender people deserve the same rights and protections as other Australians.

Parramatta voters strongly agreed religious schools should not be allowed to fire someone or expel a student on the basis that they are transgender.

Only 7.4 per cent of Parramatta voters strongly agreed you should be able to sack people and another 4.9 per cent agreed.

Nearly five per cent of voters in the seat identified as gay, lesbian and trans and 9 per cent weren’t sure.

The Parramatta poll results come after NSW Transport Minister David Elliott lashed Labor’s candidates for Fowler, Kristina Keneally, and Parramatta, Andrew Charlton as fake westies.

“Andrew Charlton today, like Kristina Keneally, is trying to be a wannabe westie, and as far as I’m concerned, the people of this district just won’t cop it,” he said.

“They cannot live in their million dollar houses in Bellevue Hill and Pittwater and then come out here and in an attempt to swindle a seat, just to get a bigger office in Canberra.”