Controversy Surrounds South Australian Liberal Candidate Carston Woodhouse

Carston Woodhouse, the Liberal party candidate for the Wright seat in South Australia, has sparked significant controversy with his remarks regarding homosexuality and gender identity. During appearances on the ElijahFire Christian podcast, Woodhouse claimed that same-sex marriage is an illusion and that homosexuality could open “demonic realms.” He further stated that gender transitioning is a falsehood, asserting, “There’s this whole reality pretending that same-sex marriage is real – it’s not.” His comments have drawn sharp criticism from incumbent Labor member Blair Boyer, who described Woodhouse's views as “shocking and extreme” and indicative of the Liberal party's “lurch to the right.”

The Guardian

The South Australian Liberal party is facing scrutiny as it prepares for the upcoming elections, with early voting beginning soon. Woodhouse's candidacy has been characterized by Boyer as a result of a “last-minute scramble” for candidates, which has led to inadequate vetting processes. This situation raises concerns about the party's ability to select appropriate representatives, particularly in a region where the electorate has historically supported progressive views, as evidenced by the 62.5% vote in favor of same-sex marriage during the 2017 national postal survey.

The Guardian

In response to the backlash, Ashton Hurn, the state Liberal leader, defended Woodhouse's right to express his opinions, stating, “I’m not going to stop someone from having an opinion.” Hurn emphasized the importance of focusing on substantive issues rather than the candidate's controversial statements. Boyer, however, criticized this stance, labeling Woodhouse's comments as “insulting” and an “attack” on the values of the community.

The Guardian

Boyer's condemnation of Woodhouse's views reflects a broader concern among critics regarding the normalization of extreme perspectives within major political parties. He argued that such views should not be representative of candidates for public office, stating, “The people who hold those extreme views are now not just people on the fringes of a major political party … they are people who are actually preselected candidates for public office at a state election.” This sentiment underscores the tension between traditional party values and the emerging far-right ideologies within the Liberal party.

The Guardian

While Woodhouse's comments have been widely reported, there has been no direct response from him regarding the backlash. Additionally, the Liberal party's internal dynamics and the decision-making process behind Woodhouse's candidacy remain unclear, raising questions about the party's future direction and its approach to candidate selection.

The Guardian

• “Who knows what demonic realms we’ve opened up to the world … by accepting homosexuality.” — Carston Woodhouse, Liberal Candidate

The Guardian

• “I would challenge anyone to listen to these excerpts and these videos …” — Blair Boyer, SA Education Minister

The Guardian

• “The ramifications of having such a shambolic and chaotic preselection process is that the political party, in this case the South Australian Liberal party, does not have the time to do the proper vetting it should do.” — Blair Boyer, SA Education Minister

The Guardian