NSW Labor won't cut supply to the minority NSW government as key independent MP Alex Greenwich threatens to pull his support after negative comments by the premier on the transgender community and sport.
Dominic Perrottet has weighed in on the controversy surrounding his and Prime Minister Scott Morrison's choice of candidate for the north shore electorate of Warringah in the upcoming federal election.
The candidate, Katherine Deves, has been campaigning on preventing transgender women playing sport alongside other women.
But Ms Deves has drawn controversy for a long and recent history of comments considered transphobic, including that transgender children were "mutilated", that opposing transgender athletes in sport was akin to preventing the Holocaust, and linking gender transitioning or cross-dressing to sex offending and serial killing.
"I'm deeply concerned that the impacts of statements made are having an extremely negative impact on trans people and particularly young trans people," Mr Greenwich told AAP.
He has threatened to end his guarantee of supply to Mr Perrottet's minority government in the NSW lower house, where the premier needs the support of at least two crossbenchers.
"I've made it clear that I've had a very co-operative relationship with Mr Perrottet in minority government; that would be impossible for me to maintain if these types of attacks continue," Mr Greenwich said.
NSW Labor leader Chris Minns says the opposition won't cut supply and won't support or move a no confidence motion against the government in parliament.
"The choice of government should be left to the voters in March 2023," Mr Minns said.
Mr Greenwich is hoping to meet with Mr Perrottet in a week, along with transgender advocates and representatives from sporting codes.
The premier has said "girls should play sport against girls" and took to ABC Sydney on Friday to say it was a personal issue to him as a father of six girls.
"People are entitled to have their opinion," Mr Perrottet told ABC Sydney.
"When asked my opinion I will express my opinion in a sensitive way."
But Mr Greenwich said the premier's views were not an informed opinion and was hoping for Mr Perrottet to be more understanding after their planned meeting.
Liberal MPs, including NSW Treasurer Matt Kean, have called for the party to dump Ms Deves as candidate, while others have called for Mr Kean to be sacked for speaking out.
"I believe no one should be sacked," Mr Perrottet said.
Mr Morrison has stood by Ms Deves, who has refused to make public appearances or comments since apologising for her past comments. Since then more of her previous comments have surfaced.
Australian Associated Press
