Premier Mark McGowan says he doesn’t agree with a WA school’s decision to end the employment of a gay teacher and promises his government will look into the loop holes in WA’s anti-discrimination laws that allow it to happen.

On Monday OUTinPerth reported that school teacher Craig Campbell had been let go by the school he’d been a relief teacher at because he shared that he was in a same sex relationship.

Questions about the teacher’s sexuality were first raised when students questioned his profile picture on social media. Soon afterwards when he attended a relatives wedding with his same sex partner he was spotted by students who were also guests at the wedding.

Mark McGowan said he thought a teacher’s sexuality was irrelevant.

“Your sexual orientation is irrelevant and that’s my belief, and that’s what I think schools should operate in this day and age.”

“We’ll investigate what legislative action would be possible in the future.” McGowan said.

Today the Principal of the South Coast Baptist College said the photo the teacher had posted had caused the children in the school to become inquisitive.

“Young people are naturally inquisitive,” Principal Glen Mitchell told The West Australian. “The image he posted created interest in his personal life, including his sexuality. I shared with him that, at present, there is an inconsistency with his beliefs on sexuality and the college’s beliefs.”

Speaking to Channel 7 News Perth Mitchell praised Campbell saying he was a much loved a respected teacher, and his positive attributes could probably be attributed to the education he received when he himself was a student at the school.

“He’s a person of great integrity, he’s honest and I would suggest to you that a lot of the characteristics he shown is from his days in our school.” Mitchell said.

Check out the report from Channel 7.

OIP Staff