Tonight you said: “Jenny and I have been blessed, we’ve got two children who haven’t had to go through that”,  in response to a question from an audience member with a four-year-old son who has autism.

But the Bible takes a different view.

“Children are a blessing and a gift from the Lord.” (Psalm 127:3 CEV)

Not “some children”.

Not “perfect children” or “intelligent children.”

Senator Katy Gallagher tweeted…

I am “blessed” to have a child with autism. She teaches me things every day. Our lives are enriched by her. #auspol #ausvotes #autism https://t.co/qU9rRZF06f

— Katy Gallagher (@SenKatyG) April 20, 2022

…and she is right.

She is blessed to have a daughter with autism and I am too.

Now our form of blessing is not without difficulty. And there are more difficult situations than having a child living with autism.

But hand on heart I can say I am a better person for having a child with autism. And she is a delightful person and I am glad to say a contributor to the well-being of our community.

Dear Prime Minister, I am glad that you have been blessed with your family.

But so have I and many hundreds of thousands of Australians with a child living with a disability.

We are grateful too for the NDIS and the dedicated people who work so hard to support those who live with a disability. It takes more than a family to look after some children, and bless them. Please consider that.

Please think of ways that you can bless them in your role as a political leader.

UPDATE: 21/4/2022 1:45 pm

The ABC reports the PM clarified his comments. “This morning [Scott Morrison] told Nine Radio that every child was a blessing and his comments were not intended to be hurtful.

“’What I was saying in good faith … I was just simply saying that it’s tough and I’m grateful that there are these hardships that I and Jenny haven’t had to deal with,” he said.

“There are other things, but it’s tough and it’s hard.

“There is no greater love than a parent has for a child and particularly a child that has special needs — and it is a blessing.

“’But I was simply trying to say in good faith that I haven’t walked in your shoes, Catherine. I’m not going to pretend to say that I understand it as well as you do.’”