One Nation Senator Malcolm Roberts has told a religious conference that he is undecided on the question of whether gay people deserve equal rights to heterosexual people.
The senator’s comments have been revealed in footage from the Church and State conference earlier this year. During a panel discussion, Roberts was asked about Pauline Hanson’s then chief of staff, James Ashby, who is gay. Ashby has since been promoted to National Director of One Nation.
The Guardian reported on the footage, describing Roberts as saying Ashby was “bright, honest and straight”.
He then added: “Well, straight in one way.”
Roberts was subsequently asked what Christians should think about Ashby. In response, he referred to the late Anglican bishop and gay rights advocate John Shelby Spong, citing comments that, after women and Black people were no longer regarded as “inferior”, gay people would be the next group seeking equality.
According to the footage, Roberts said:
“Now I’m in two minds about that. So I haven’t got a firm position on it myself other than I don’t, I’m not homosexual and I can’t understand it.
“But there have been a number of homosexuals who are very, very prominent in many fields throughout history. So all I know is that in this environment, James is not morally sound. But from what I’ve seen of him, his honesty, his integrity, his ability, he is sound.
“So, if you pardon me, I haven’t made up my mind. But there are a number of people in society in very prominent positions in the arts, sports, science, business and politics who are homosexual.
“And I don’t think we can afford to ban them. So it’s difficult.”
Roberts was appearing at the conference alongside party leader Pauline Hanson.
Anna Brown, Chief Executive Officer of Equality Australia, said it was shocking that an Australian politician would be discussing the possibility of banning people because of their sexuality.
“As though something so incompatible with a democratic society could be an acceptable option,” she said.
“The idea that One Nation or its senators think this could be an idea on the table, or even a matter of legitimate debate, is incredibly chilling.
“And perhaps it’s worth reminding the senator that being gay and being a person of deep faith are not mutually exclusive, and neither makes someone any more or less morally sound.”
The latest example of a senior One Nation members views on LGBTIQA+ Australians follows on from Barnaby Joyce proclaiming that One Nation is the gayest political party in Australia. That comment was sparked by a former Western Australian candidate Parminder Singh declaring in an interview that he believed gay and lesbian people were mentally ill.
Senator Roberts has made headlines recently over a series of comments he’s made in the past endorsing conspiracy theories including blaming the Biden administration for creating the Covid virus, and claiming that Australian politicians are secretly controlled by the United Nations.
