A former Chief of Staff to John Howard has turned heads after publicly supporting controversial Liberal politician Katherine Deves.  

Ms Deves, a candidate for Sydney’s Warringah electorate, has faced a recent tidal wave of scrutiny after her past comments about transgender children were unearthed online.  

In an appearance on The Project to discuss the current election campaign,  Grahame Morris  addressed the controversy surrounding Ms Deves, and believes she should not be unendorsed by her party.  

“Some of the things she said were beyond the pale and she has apologised but if you come back to what she’s really on about, it is saving women’s sport and that is really important,” he said.

“We have feeder clubs for Aussie Rules clubs in Sydney where you’ve got big, muscly, fast, strong women who used to be blokes up against 16-year-old girls – is that fair? And just imagine what the Russians or the Chinese will do if that little chink opens up.”

Host Waleed Aly was visibly taken aback by these out of pocket comments, as their discussion up until that point was discussing campaign strategies for both parties.  

“Are you really running this argument on the basis of a comment that a candidate on Warringah is making?” Waleed asked.  

“That, if she doesn‘t run this, the Chinese and the Russians are coming for us and they’re going to take our medals? I mean, this seems a little overwrought doesn’t it, Grahame?”

Mr Morris doubled down on his controversial stance, continuing to warn against softening the rules for transgender athletes over fears rival countries would exploit them.  

“Look at what they’re doing now when there are different rules,” he said.  

“We have seen what they will do. Do we really want to open up that little niche where we’ve got people against our swimming team.”

Waleed struggled with the sudden pivot of the conversation and ended the talking point there.  

“Congratulations, Grahame, you have successfully made this a national security story and I didn‘t think that was possible, but you’ve carried it off very, very impressively,” he said.

Scott Morrison, John Howard and Tony Abbott have all publicly backed the rookie Liberal candidate, despite her views causing a stir in the election campaign.  

Image credits: The Project