A FEDERAL political candidate in Western Victoria has been banished after comparing gay and lesbian people to paedophiles.
A second KAP candidate has been suspended from the party today.
KAP National Director Aidan McLindon said “it is with regret that KAP Federal Executive have suspended the membership of Bernard Gaynor.
Mr Gaynor also made homophobic comments.
“The party has made it perfectly clear on a number of occasions to all candidates and officials that KAP does not exist for individuals to air and promote their own personal preoccupations,” Mr McLindon said.
“For this reason and as a result of serious breaches of protocol the party has suspended Mr Gaynor’s membership.
“As a result of this decision Mr Gaynor’s nomination for senate candidacy becomes invalid.
“As is with all other democratic institutions, the member may exercise his right to show cause.
“The party is determined to continue with its core objectives in restoring our freedoms and building prosperity for all Australians.”
Tess Corbett, who was representing Bob Katter's Australia Party in the seat of Wannon, also said it would be a "sad day" if homosexuals had equal rights to other people, the Herald Sun reports.
Asked whether she thought people were born gay or chose to be gay, Ms Corbett said: "God doesn't make mistakes."
Katter's Australian Party President, Max Menzel today Ms Corbett had withdrawn her application for endorsement.
"Tess has contacted me this morning and has offered to withdraw her application and I have accepted her request, on behalf of the party", Mr Menzel said.
Mr Menzel stated, "Tess has great ability and the recent incident is regrettable".
The sitting member in Wannon, Liberal MP Dan Tehan, said comments made by Ms Corbett were "deplorable".
Federal MP Bob Katter, who created the relatively new political party for which Ms Corbett is endorsed, called the comments "stupid" and said they would be dealt with internally.
The controversy started when Ms Corbett was quoted in her local paper, the Hamilton Spectator, comparing gay and lesbian people to paedophiles.
She said that "paedophiles will be next in line to be recognised in the same way as gays and lesbians and get rights".
Ms Corbett did not back away from the comments when contacted by the Herald Sun, saying it was a "moral issue".
"You have got morals, or you don't," she said.
She said if gay and lesbian Australians got more rights it would be sad "not only for themselves, but for families and children".
After asking whether the Herald Sun reporter was gay, she went on to say that young people were becoming "indoctrinated" with the idea that being homosexual was acceptable.
Mr Tehan said Ms Corbett's comments were "bigoted and must be condemned".
He said it was a "test for Bob Katter" because if he stood by the comments "he deserves outright condemnation as well".
Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby spokeswoman Anna Brown also called for Mr Katter to intervene and confirm his party did not support homophobic remarks.
"I'm pleased to say that Ms Corbett's comments don't reflect the views of the vast majority of Australians who support laws that protect against the harm caused by discrimination," she said.
Mr Katter said Ms Corbett's comments should "not be taken seriously".
"That comment was stupid, I have met her and she's a lovely lady, but I'm sorry, that's a stupid remark," he said. "The party will deal with that."
Read more at the Herald Sun.
