Key independent MP threatens to withdraw support over Perrottet comments

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Key independent MP threatens to withdraw support over Perrottet comments

The NSW government could lose its hold on power, with a key independent threatening to withdraw his support over Premier Dominic Perrottet's comments on transgender people in sport.

If the Premier maintains his current position, he would consider withdrawing his support for supply and confidence in the government, according to independent MP Alex Greenwich.

Mr Greenwich told ABC Radio Sydney that the trans community, and young trans people, are being used as a political punching bag.

I'm asking the Premier to leave young trans kids alone, let them flourish, and let them be themselves. Mr Perrottet weighed into the debate on transgender people in sport this week, saying that he believed girls should play competitive sport against girls. He followed transphobic comments by the federal Liberal candidate for Warringah, Katherine Deves, who said she wanted to ban trans women from female sports.

Mr Greenwich said he had set up a meeting between him, Mr Perrottet and Trans advocates to discuss the issue.

I'm hoping he can actually understand the issue, and I'm hoping we can sit down," Greenwich said.

I'm happy to bring sporting codes so he can hear directly from them.

If you talk to trans people, they just want politicians to stay out of their lives, to let them flourish, to let them be part of the community without judgement. Lake Macquarie independent MP Greg Piper said he was considering his position on whether he would continue to support the government.

He pledged to meet with Mr Perrottet before making any decision.

The Premier has expressed his opinion and I understand that everyone will have an opinion.

But in areas particularly sensitive, I want that opinion to be more informed and considered rather than being rolled out in the lead-up to a federal election. Perrottet said he would meet with Mr Greenwich to discuss the matter.

When issues arise that people would like to raise with me, my door is always open to have those discussions, Perrottet told ABC Radio Sydney.

It's likely that Alex and I will disagree on this issue, but we've also disagreed on issues in the past. The NSW CoalitionNSW Coalition needs 47 seats in the lower house to govern in majority, but it currently holds 45 after a series of resignations and a loss in a by-election.

In March 2021, the Liberal MP John Sidoti moved to the crossbench after the Independent Commission Against Corruption announced it was investigating him over his property dealings.

The seat of Bega fell to Labor candidate Michael Holland in February after the resignation of senior Liberal minister Andrew Constance triggered a by-election.

Gareth Ward, a former Liberal MP and member for Kiama, was suspended from parliament in March for criminal charges of indecent and sexual assault.

In a statement to the ABC, the NSW Department of EducationNSW Department of Education said student participation in sport was considered on an individual basis.

Our schools manage student participation in sports at a local level, sensitively considering individual needs, it said.