Neil Mitchell defends education minister over disabled comments

3AW Mornings host Neil Mitchell has jumped to the defence of federal education minister Simon Birmingham over controversial comments he made this week.

The minister came under fire after he thanked his ‘lucky stars’ his children were not disabled while discussing education funding for children with disabilities.

But Neil Mitchell couldn’t understand the fuss and said Mr Birmingham was simply stating the obvious.

‘Really, what is wrong with that?’ the 3AW Mornings host said.

‘I’m a parent, and I’m enormously grateful my children are as they are.

‘That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t love them and care for them if they were disabled.

‘But I am relieved they’re not.

‘I’ve got friends with Down Syndrome kids ? lovely kids, they add enormously to the lives of their parents.

‘But in some cases they’re going to be home forever.

‘It does bring a different burden to parenthood.’

LISTEN: Neil’s full editorial on 3AW Mornings

But disability groups have taken offence to the comments.

Craig Wallace, President of People with Disability Australia, told Neil Mitchell they were inappropriate.

Click PLAY to hear him debate the issue with Neil Mitchell.