Controversy over comments made by Liberal candidate Carston Woodhouse about Islam, homosexuality, feminism, and the 'trans agenda'
Consensus Summary
The articles cover controversy over comments made by South Australian Liberal candidate Carston Woodhouse on an American Christian podcast, where he expressed controversial views on Islam, homosexuality, feminism and transgender issues. The Islamic Society of South Australia condemned Woodhouse's comments as 'deeply offensive', and Labor incumbent Blair Boyer called them 'shocking' and 'extreme'. Initially, SA Liberal leader Ashton Hurn stood by Woodhouse as the candidate, stating that 'people are allowed to share their views'. However, Hurn later announced that Woodhouse 'will no longer be the candidate' for the Liberal Party, though the specifics of his departure were not provided. The articles highlight the divisive nature of Woodhouse's remarks and the political fallout as the state election approaches.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Carston Woodhouse is the Liberal Party's candidate for the seat of Wright in the upcoming South Australian state election
- Woodhouse made controversial comments on an American Christian podcast, ElijahFire, where he described Islam as 'poisonous and wrong', said 'same-sex marriage is not real', and called feminism 'demonic'
- The Islamic Society of South Australia criticized Woodhouse's comments as 'deeply offensive, irresponsible, and [having] no place in the public discourse'
- Labor incumbent Blair Boyer held a press conference to air Woodhouse's views, which he called 'shocking' and 'extreme'
- SA Liberal leader Ashton Hurn initially stood by Woodhouse as the candidate, saying 'people are allowed to share their views' and that she does not share his views
- Hurn later announced that Woodhouse 'will no longer be the candidate' for the Liberal Party, but did not specify if he was disendorsed or resigned
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Woodhouse also made comments opposing a 2024 ban on the Nazi salute and swastika in South Australia
- Woodhouse is employed by the SA Liberal Party
- Woodhouse referenced right-wing influencers Michael Knowles, Ben Shapiro and the late Charlie Kirk in his podcast comments
- South Australia voted 62.5% in favour of same-sex marriage in the 2017 national postal survey
- A section of the SA Liberals website devoted to Woodhouse as a candidate was hastily removed on Thursday afternoon
- Woodhouse continues to be employed by the SA Liberals
- Liberal senator Alex Antic defended Woodhouse in federal parliament, saying 'if this guy is disendorsed, or if he feels compelled to leave, we might as well shut the doors on this election with one week to go'
Where the reporting differs
Details that conflict, or appear in only some outlets:
- Initial reports indicated Hurn would allow Woodhouse to remain as the Liberal candidate, but she later announced he 'will no longer be the candidate'
Source Articles
Breaking: SA Liberal candidate no longer running for party after podcast comments
SA Liberal Leader Ashton Hurn says one of her candidates for the upcoming state election is no longer running for the party after comments he made on Islam, feminism, same-sex marriage and "the trans agenda" came to light on an American podcast.
Islamic Society criticises 'competition' to attack Muslims as Liberals stand by candidate
An organisation representing South Australian Muslims criticises the Liberal Party and One Nation for what it says is a rush to attack Islam "more harshly in order to gain political support" ahead of the state election.
SA Liberals dump candidate who said homosexuality ‘opens up demonic realms’ after initially standing by him
Party leader Ashton Hurn confirms Carston Woodhouse will not run for Liberals in SA’s state election, but says ‘people are entitled to have their views’ Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast A Liberal candidate in South Australia’s upcoming state election has been dumped after his “shocking and extreme” views on abortion, same-sex marriage, gender transitioning and feminism were aired by his Labor rival. The leader of
SA Liberals stand by candidate who said homosexuality opens up ‘demonic realms’
Carston Woodhouse, running for Wright in Adelaide’s north, also claimed gender transitioning is an ‘illusion’ Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast The South Australian Liberal party is standing by an election candidate who said same-sex marriage is not real, homosexuality can open up “demonic realms” and gender transitioning is an “illusion”. Carston Woodhouse is running for the seat of Wright in Adelaide’s north in the state’s upcoming elections, with early voting beginn
SA Liberal Party candidate says 'same-sex marriage is not real' and 'feminism is demonic'
A Liberal candidate says "same-sex marriage is not real", "feminism is demonic" and has questioned what "demonic realms" might be opened up to the world when homosexuality is accepted, in clips shown to the media by the Labor Party.
More views of SA Liberal candidate emerge against Islam and 'trans agenda'
More views by Liberal Party candidate and evangelical Christian Carston Woodhouse emerge with the Adelaide man saying Islam is "poisonous and wrong" and the "trans agenda is insanity". Warning: This story contains content some readers might find distressing.
Brutal axing of pollie days out from election
A SA Liberal candidate who made deeply controversial remarks about same-sex marriage will no longer be standing in the upcoming state election.
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