Burns loses complaint

Sydney’s Gary Burns has been unsuccessful in pursuing a complaint against South Australian MP, Tom Koutsantonis for distributing a campaign letter Burns claims could result in violence against gay men.

AAP today reports Burns complaint was rejected by South Australian equal opportunity commissioner, Linda Matthews because the MP had not breached the state’s Equal Opportunity Act.

Burns claimed a letter sent by Koutsantonis to constituents on February 18 calling on people to report “lewd” behavior at Apex Park in West Beach – a known beat – would lead to “gay-hate homicide.”

Koutsantonis said he was working with police to combat “vile” behaviour and had called on locals to record car registrations of anyone seen cruising the area.

Koutsantonis said having sex in a public place, where children may be present is wrong, “homosexual or otherwise.”

“This is not about sexuality,” he said.