Liberal president Kent Johns blasts Ross Cameron as ‘nothing more than a circus act’ – The Sydney Morning Herald

NSW Liberal Party president Kent Johns has condemned Ross Cameron's comments at a Q Society fundraiser as "highly offensive" and accused the former federal MP of becoming "nothing more than a circus act".

Addressing a dinner held by the anti-Islam group on Thursday night Mr Cameron referred to theThe Sydney Morning Heraldas the "Sydney Morning Homosexual" and said the NSW Liberal Party was "basically a gay club."

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Former Liberal MP Ross Cameron has appeared on SKY NEWS to defend the comments he made about homosexuality and The Sydney Morning Herald at the Q Society fundraising dinner in Sydney. Vision: SKY NEWS.

Cartoonist Larry Pickering told the audience that "I can't stand Muslims [but] they are not all bad, they do chuck pillow-biters off buildings."

In a sharply worded statement on Sunday morning Mr Johns said the Liberal Party was "was not aware of the event or Mr Cameron's attendance and participation in it".

"He was not speaking on behalf of the Liberal party," Mr Johnssaid.

"Personally, I think the comments were highly offensive and quite frankly, they do not belong in the Liberal Party or a decent society.

"It's a shame that a former member of parliament has become nothing more than a circus act.

"The Liberal party will deal with any matters raised through our party processes and in accordance with our rules and regulations."

Earlier, Liberal Party defector Cory Bernardi criticised Mr Cameron's comments as "totally inappropriate" but defended his right to free speech.

Senator Bernardi, along with Liberal National Party MP George Christensen, addressed aQ Societyfundraiser in Melbourne on Friday, despite the furore over Mr Cameron's remarks in Sydney.

Senator Bernardi said on Sunday he had spoken with Mr Cameron after the event who explained to him the "historical context" of his comments.

Senator Bernardidescribed Mr Cameron's comments as "totally inappropriate" saying they were an "own goal" for critics of attempts to loosen anti-vilification laws.

But he stopped short of suggesting Mr Cameron should apologise for the remarks.

"They'reentitled to say what they like; we're entitled to say they're wrong," Senator Bernardi told Sky News.

The Q Society dinner was part of an effort to raise to raise funds for a defamation case brought by halal certifier Mohamed El-Mouelhy, who is suing Liberty Alliance political candidate Kirralie Smith over her videos alleging halal certification funds illegal activity.

The Greens will push a motion against Mr Christensen in the House of Representatives on Monday calling for his sacking from the LNP as opposition parties seek to ratchet up pressure on Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull over the hard right agenda advocated by elements of the Coalition.

Mr Christensen told Fairfax Media on Saturday that Mr Turnbull could not be held responsible for him attending the dinner because he paid for his travel and accommodation himself.

Mr Cameron has defended his comments. "I don't see a single sentence of my remarks which is critical of gays," he said."I gave a very pro-gay speech in which I said gays have been associated with the creative class since the beginning of history."

Mr Cameron already faces having his party membership suspended for five years over comments he made last year on Sky News savaging then-NSW Treasurer Gladys Berejiklian who has since become Premier.

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Liberal president Kent Johns blasts Ross Cameron as 'nothing more than a circus act' - The Sydney Morning Herald