‘They’ under Liberal attack

THE Opposition says it will ban public servants taking part in a Labor-backed campaign to replace “he” and “her” with gender neutral pronouns “they” and “them” if it wins the November election.

South Barwon MP Andrew Katos called the “They Day” campaign uncovered by the Geelong Advertiser “politically correct nonsense”.

“The directive (would be) that no more of this stuff takes place (during government work hours), it’s as simple as that,” Mr Katos said.

“These bureaucrats should be concentrating on their departments and the betterment of Victoria, instead you’ve got them focused on this politically correct nonsense.

“Who has authorised and OK’d this . . . this is a directive . . . and all off a sudden it’s circulated to all government employees.”

The campaign, which features a professionally shot mini-documentary and includes government employ- themselves feel they are rather than being what people think they should be,” Mr Landkroon said.

“The community’s acceptance of this will only support and encourage inclusiveness.”

Readers offered varying views yesterday, with many against the campaign.

Emma Grace said: “(Things) have been this way for hundreds of years and no worries, yet now everything is prim and proper and one person with a complaint changes the whole country’s lifestyle and way of life? Leave things as they are, let people have opinions but don’t force them on everyone.”

Health Minister Jill Hennessy again refused to comment on They Day yesterday.

On Wednesday, a DHHS spokeswoman said: “The (project) did not receive government or departmental funding for this event or the associated video, and it was not compulsory for staff to attend.”

Australian Catholic University research fellow Kevin Donnelly said: “This is just another example of how dominant political correctness is.”