City councillor Paul Funnell has spoken out against the increasingly contentious program that has reignited hostile debate ahead of the federal election. 

Mr Funnell said rather than being an anti-bullying policy, the Safe Schools initiative would lead to a radical sexualisation of young Australian students.

“This programme has nothing to do with abolishing bullying,” Mr Funnell said. “It’s disgraceful, X-rated social engineering and will see the sexualisation of our children.”

The program, intended to be rolled out in primary schools across the country, is aimed at developing a safe and inclusive environment for same-sex attracted, intersex and gender diverse students, staff and families.

Mr Funnell described some of the program’s suggested content as completely “ludicrous” and even, in some cases, “criminal”.

“The material is completely inappropriate and does not belong in schools,” he said.

“Much of this would be considered grooming if it was not wrapped up in this programme and people would be rightly arrested.

“It’s ludicrous that this program teaches children that your genitals don't determine your gender and it completely warps their concept of sexuality.”

Mr Funnell’s comments come just days after the Victorian government openly defied Malcolm Turnbull's attempts to amend the controversial curriculum.

Wagga’s Parents and Friends of Lesbians And Gays vice president Sarah Adcock said while everyone might not support Safe Schools, it would no doubt help achieve more accepting school environments.

“It’s simply about informing lesbian, gay, intersex and transgender children that there’s nothing wrong with them and letting other children see that too,” she said.

“If a child is gay, it’s important for them to feel safe and supported at school, instead of shutting themselves off from society because they’re misunderstood.”