One Nation MP Mark Latham shouts down Premier Dominic Perrottet gender policy

A major blow up has erupted between NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet and One Nation’s Mark Latham over one “woke” issue.

Mark Latham and Dominic Perrottet have locked horns in a fiery public debate about “woke” politics and transgender children in schools.

Mr Latham wants to ban teachers from discussing gender identity in NSW classrooms.

The One Nation MP took the Premier to task during a heated clash on Thursday.

Mr Latham also wants parents to be informed if a child discusses gender transition with school staff, rather than giving them the opportunity to keep the conversations confidential.

“How can you possibly keep parents in the dark?” he asked the Premier.

Mr Latham said he had received several parents reach out him saying they had been kept in the dark and called it a “family destroyer”.

Things went from 0 to 100 between @Dom_Perrottet & @RealMarkLatham after the Gov't didn't support a committee view that..
"no student has the right or capacity to stop the school telling their parents information about their gender, where the school is obliged to do so" #nswpolpic.twitter.com/w1GzBxI5ZR

— Lachlan Kennedy (@lachlan_kennedy) April 21, 2022

“This is the one of the worst things I’ve seen in public life,” Mr Latham said, beginning to raise his voice and drowning out the Premier.

The room exploded at accusations from the Premier that Mr Latham was being deliberately controversial.

“You’re focussed on getting your headline,” Mr Perrottet said

“No I’m not. You withdraw that! How dare you say that,” an angry Mr Latham replied.

“You talk to these mothers.”

Mr Latham promised to tell the Premier more in private about the conversations he had with parents.

“How these families are being absolutely destroyed by schools keeping them in the dark,” Mr Latham said.

“The worst thing I’ve seen in 30 years of politics. When you understand those things you’ll start supporting common sense recommendations.”

The NSW Premier faced an intense session in Thursday’s parliamentary hearing, clashing with One Nation’s Mark Latham. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Christian Gilles

Mr Perrottet dismissed claims the proposal was “urgent”.

“I’m agreeing with you. I just don’t necessarily believe that your black and white recommendation here is the right one and we will come out with a better one,” Mr Perrottet said.

“I’ve said that I will look at it and go through it but I’m focussed on getting an outcome and doing things in a way that I believe is measured and ensures that the sensitive nature of these issues are dealt with appropriately.”

Mr Perrottet believes parents should be informed on a case-by-case basis.

“From a sentiment perspective, I agree that parents should be informed and provided advice in relation to their children at all times,” he said.

Mr Perrottet suggested there would be circumstances such as if a student was undergoing counseling that would need to be examined in relation to disclosing information to parents.

One Nation’s Mark Latham hit out at NSW premier Dominic Perrottet in a heated clash. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Christian Gilles

But Mr Latham hit back.

“This is the truth that your woke cabinet won’t support the thing that you talk about,” he said. “You’re captive to these people”.

“No one’s ever called me woke in my life, you’re more woke than me,” Mr Perrottet interjected.

“Why don’t you support my recommendations then,” Mr Latham asked.

“Because your recommendations might not be the right ones,” the Premier jabbed back.

Transgender issues have been in the spotlight this week after federal Liberal candidate Katherine Deves was criticised for her controversial views.