Alex Antic Calls Courtney Act’s “Play School” Appearance Child Grooming
After the ABC children’s program Play School featured a storybook segment with drag queen Courtney Act reading The Spectacular Suit, Liberal Senator Alex Antic accused the show of “child grooming” on Tuesday, November 8, reports Sky News.
MR ANTIC’S ANTICS HAVE NOT GONE UNNOTICED
In response to Mr Antic’s accusation of child grooming, the ABC has responded, refuting the claims that having a drag queen read a story to children about dressing up is not grooming. “We are not grooming Australian children, what we are doing in that, that is about dressing up,” says Managing director David Anderson.
The Spectacular Suit is a story by Kat Patrick about a young girl who doesn’t feel comfortable wearing a party dress. Frankie decides instead that she feels better wearing a pair of pants to the party.
Senator for South Australia, Alex Antic used senate estimates to bring up the episode saying: “The program was rated G and has been heavily promoted on TV and on the app. Why is the ABC grooming Australian children with this sort of adult content?”
Grooming is the pernicious practice of preparing children to be taken advantage of in some way. Mr Antic’s claims that the book’s content and Courtney Act’s presence amount to grooming has been called a spurious attempt to grab headlines, reports Sky News.
“Grooming is a really serious matter, it’s not for being played with by conservative senators so they can make headlines,” says Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young. “I think sexual assault survivors right around this country will be deeply offended, deeply offended by you playing politics.”
