NSW's New Premier Thinks It's 'Sad' That People Criticise His Religious Views

New South Wales' new Premier has hit back at people who have criticised him for his religious beliefs.

Before Dominic Perrottet won the Liberal Party vote to become the new state leader, his statements in the media were scrutinised by commentators due to them being a little controversial.

The conservative father of six has previously opposed decriminalising abortion as well as legalising same-sex marriage, and said he isn't a fan of gender neutral language and the 'pronoun police'.

He described marriage as 'about every child's fundamental right to grow up with their own mum and dad', while he said people who support terminating pregnancies are on the 'wrong side of history'.

He has also claimed welfare needs to be tightened because it's leading to rising divorce rates and single parent families, according to News Corp.

Mr Perrottet believes climate change is a 'religion for the Left' and opposed legislation that would force Catholic priests to tell police if a priest confessed to committing sex abuse during confession.

"That isn't just a matter of preference. It's a matter of deep theological conviction that the confessional seal is sacrosanct, for every priest in every penitent, no matter who, no matter what sins are confessed," he previously said.

After winning 39 votes in the Liberal Party meeting this morning (October 5) to be crowned Premier, he was asked about whether these religious views will affect the way he will lead New South Wales.

He replied by saying: "People should judge people on who they are and what they say, not based on some religious element, and I am very proud of the fact that I have a strong Christian faith.

"Does that in any way take away my capacity to serve as Premier? Well, I do not think so, and I think it is a sad thing that some people do.

"But I think people right across our state, in the main, believe in freedom of religion and freedom of the opportunity to serve in public life regardless of what your ethnic background is, what your religious values are."

The Member for Epping, who is the youngest politician to become Premier of New South Wales at just 39 years old, said diversity should be celebrated rather than demonised.

"I am incredibly passionate, hard working, and I, as Premier, will serve every single person across the state, regardless what your beliefs are and what your religion is," he said.

Topics: Australia

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie is a Trending Journalist at LADbible. His first job was as a newsreader and journalist at the award winning Sydney radio station, Macquarie Radio. He was solely responsible for the content broadcast on multiple stations across Australia when the MH17, Germanwings and AirAsia disasters unfolded. Stewart has covered the conflict in Syria for LADbible, interviewing a doctor on the front line, and has contributed to the hugely successful UOKM8 campaign.

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