Liberal Candidate in South Australia Faces Scrutiny Over Past Comments on Marriage, Feminism, and Sexuality

Adelaide, South Australia – Carston Woodhouse, a Liberal candidate vying for the seat of Wright in the upcoming South Australian state election, is under fire for comments made in a 2022 podcast appearance where he expressed controversial views on same-sex marriage, feminism, and homosexuality. The remarks, resurfaced by incumbent Labor MP Blair Boyer, have prompted criticism and questions about the Liberal party’s candidate vetting process.

Controversial Statements on the ElijahFire Podcast

Woodhouse’s comments were made during appearances on the American evangelical Christian podcast, ElijahFire. According to reports from The Guardian and ABC News, Woodhouse stated that “same-sex marriage isn’t real” and that “feminism is demonic.” He also questioned what “demonic realms” might be opened up by “accepting homosexuality.”

Boyer, the SA Minister for Education, Training and Skills, publicly shared clips of the podcast during a press conference, describing Woodhouse’s views as “shocking and extreme” and indicative of a “lurch to the right” within the Liberal party. He further criticized the Liberal party’s preselection process as “shambolic,” suggesting a lack of thorough vetting of candidates.

Liberal Party Response

Ashton Hurn, the state Liberal leader, acknowledged the comments but stated she did not share Woodhouse’s views. The Guardian reported Hurn emphasized her focus on policies aimed at improving the lives of South Australians. She defended Woodhouse’s right to hold his opinions, stating that differing viewpoints exist within political parties.

Public Reaction and Context

The controversy comes as early voting for the South Australian election is set to begin on Saturday. South Australia overwhelmingly voted in favor of same-sex marriage in the 2017 national postal survey, with 62.5% support. Woodhouse’s comments have drawn criticism from LGBTQIA+ advocates, who have called for protection against hate speech, as reported by QNews.

Woodhouse’s candidate profile on the Liberal Party website does not mention his views on these social issues, describing him as “strong, principled and community-minded.”

Further Developments

The Herald Sun also covered the story, highlighting the backlash against the Liberal candidate. The seat of Wright has been held by the Labor party since 1997, making it a traditionally safe seat for them.