Prime Minister Scott Morrison lashed out at students who joined a similar protest last year .
Greens MP Adam Bandt asked Mr McCormack during parliamentary question time yesterday if the deputy prime minister would support the students' campaign for more action on climate change.
"Deputy Prime Minister, will you join me in congratulating the courageous school students going on strike on the 15th of March right around the country calling for urgent climate action and the protection of Australia's infrastructure. Will you commend these young people and the 15-thousand who went on strike last November for taking time off school to show us what real leadership looks like?"
But instead, Mr McCormack criticised the Greens for encouraging the students.
He also criticised the students themselves for considering leaving class to protest.
"Well, I tell you what. Real leadership doesn't look anything like anything the Member for Melbourne (Adam Bandt) ever brings to this chamber Mr Speaker. The children should be at school. That's where they should be. They should be learning about Australian history. They should be learning about Australian geography. They should be learning about all the lessons their teachers are willing to teach them. Mr Speaker, Mr Speaker they should be at school."
