The government MP organising a petition against a controversial anti-bullying schools program believes it has been signed by former prime minister Tony Abbott.
George Christensen and other coalition backbenchers are demanding a parliamentary inquiry into the Safe Schools program, and for its funding to be suspended.
"I haven't spoken to Tony about his decision to sign it. I understand he has signed it," the Nationals MP told reporters in Canberra on Thursday.
Mr Abbott's government provided funding for the Labor-initiated program that addresses sexual and gender diversity issues.
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"More information's come to light about the program and it's probably changed his mind about it," Mr Christensen said.
The Nationals MP insists he raised concerns about the program when Mr Abbott was prime minister.
Mr Christensen said the program was attempting to run "queer gender theory" and Marxist ideology into schools that should be limited to universities.
"I don't want to see sexual liberation of young people. I don't want to see young people sexualised at all.
"They're saying you shouldn't say boys and girls in the classroom, are we going on a purge of the dictionary here?"
School students approached about Safe Schools
Opponents to the Safe Schools program have approached Perth high school students, urging them to adhere to Christian values.
Mt Lawley Senior High School principal Milton Butcher said students were handed anti-Safe Schools leaflets on Thursday morning as they arrived at school by two adults who refused to identify themselves.
"Some students reported they were very distressed by the actions of these adults," Mr Butcher said.
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