Federal Labor Member for Perth Patrick Gorman has condemned comments by a One Nation candidate who allegedly described homosexuality as a “mental illness” in a social media video.
Parminder Singh, who was number three on One Nation WA’s Legislative Council ticket at the 2025 state election, made the comments in a video posted by Perth comedian and content creator Jasky Singh, known as “Mr Sikkant”.
In the video, Singh allegedly questioned whether people were born gay and as per ABC said: “No, no, it’s a mental illness.”
It is reported that Singh also criticised Pride parades, describing them as an “advertisement” to young people, and said same-sex marriage should not be legalised.
Gorman, whose Perth electorate has hosted the city’s Pride Parade since 1990, strongly rejected the comments.
“Homophobia has no place in Australia. It has no place in Perth,” Gorman said.
“These views from a senior One Nation WA member are deeply offensive.
I completely reject them.
I reject the hate and discrimination that they seek to spread.”
Gorman said Perth was a welcoming community that celebrated diversity. “Australians are welcoming people. We celebrate one another,” he said.
“The Perth electorate has been home to the Pride Parade since 1990. I have joined the march many times. It is a celebration of the kind and welcoming community we live in and build together.”
Meaghan Holden, CEO of Living Proud Inc in Western Australia, told ABC that the organisation was “deeply concerned” by Singh’s comments.
“Such statements are inaccurate, harmful and inconsistent with decades of medical, psychological and community understanding that sexuality and gender diversity are a part of human diversity,” Holden said.
“Remember that behind these public conversations are real people; our family members, friends, colleagues, neighbours and children.”
As per ABC, One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce distanced himself from Singh’s views, describing them as “highly offensive”.
Singh’s profile was removed from the One Nation website after media enquiries, although Joyce said he did not have the power to formally disendorse him.
“That is not a good sign, is it? To be pulled off the website,” Joyce said.
“I don’t concur with his views.”
Shadow Treasurer Tim Wilson also criticised Singh, saying the comments had “removed all doubt” about his character.
As per ABC, Singh has previously been promoted by One Nation’s Western Australian organisation, which described him as a “genuinely great person” in a 2024 social media post.
Same-sex marriage has been legal in Australia since 2017.
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