Australian politician apologises for claim schoolgirls are being ‘taught to use dildos’
Steve Dickson said he was misinformed when he said teachers were showing girls how to use sex toys in class

A high-profile member of Australia’s far-right One Nation party has apologised for claiming that sex education classes were teaching primary schoolgirls how to use a strap-on dildo.
Steve Dickson, the leader of the Queensland branch of the nationalist party, made the comments on Saturday as he campaigned for re-election in Buderim, about 60 miles north of Brisbane.
“We are having little kids in grade four at school, young girls being taught by teachers how to masturbate, how to strap on dildos, how to do this sort of stuff - that is the real problem in this country,” he said.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The Safe Schools programme is a government-funded resource which offers teacher and parents guidance on sexuality and gender issues relating to children. “It does not involve education on how to use sex toys.” says The Guardian.
Dickson’s claims quickly drew scorn and ridicule from educators and fellow politicians. Labor politician Annastacia Palaszczuk, the head of the Queensland state government, denounced the comments as “absolutely atrocious” and “complete nonsense”, the Courier-Mail reports.
On Monday, Dickson withdrew the claim that the Safe Schools programme taught girls to use dildos, saying that he had been misinformed by the parent of a schoolgirl in his constituency.
“I can only go by what parents are telling me," he said. However, he remained insistent that the programme contained “highly explicit material”.
“I apologise if the specific words I used offended anyone, but I make no apology for One Nation’s policy to remove the controversial Safe Schools program from Queensland classrooms,” he said.
Dickson, who was in his third term as Liberal National party representative when he defected One Nation in January, is hoping to retain his Buderim seat when Queensland elects representative to the state parliament on 25 November. He is predicted to lose to Liberal National party candidate Brent Mickelberg.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
America's academic brain drain has begun
IN THE SPOTLIGHT As the Trump administration targets universities and teachers, educators are eying greener academic pastures elsewhere — and other nations are starting to take notice
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Why is Musk targeting a Wisconsin Supreme Court race?
Today's Big Question His money could help conservatives, but it could also produce a Democratic backlash
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
How to pay off student loans
The explainer Don't just settle for the default repayment plan
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
'Like a sound from hell': Serbia and sonic weapons
The Explainer Half a million people sign petition alleging Serbian police used an illegal 'sound cannon' to disrupt anti-government protests
By Abby Wilson Published
-
The arrest of the Philippines' former president leaves the country's drug war in disarray
In the Spotlight Rodrigo Duterte was arrested by the ICC earlier this month
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Ukrainian election: who could replace Zelenskyy?
The Explainer Donald Trump's 'dictator' jibe raises pressure on Ukraine to the polls while the country is under martial law
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Why Serbian protesters set off smoke bombs in parliament
THE EXPLAINER Ongoing anti-corruption protests erupted into full view this week as Serbian protesters threw the country's legislature into chaos
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Who is the Hat Man? 'Shadow people' and sleep paralysis
In Depth 'Sleep demons' have plagued our dreams throughout the centuries, but the explanation could be medical
By The Week Staff Published
-
The Aussie beach cabana drama
Row over using tents to reserve a spot on the sand has even drawn in the prime minister
By Elizabeth Carr-Ellis, The Week UK Published
-
Why Assad fell so fast
The Explainer The newly liberated Syria is in an incredibly precarious position, but it's too soon to succumb to defeatist gloom
By The Week UK Published
-
Romania's election rerun
The Explainer Shock result of presidential election has been annulled following allegations of Russian interference
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published