Matildas captain Sam Kerr and her fiancée Kristie Mewis recently introduced their newborn son, Jagger, to the world. The couple shared a series of heartwarming photos online last week, which were met with an outpouring of congratulations and support from fans.
However, not everyone celebrated the milestone. Family First national director Lyle Shelton used the moment to criticize the couple, posting a photo of Kerr, Mewis, and their baby alongside the remark: “A baby is born – but where’s dad?”
Shelton, a vocal opponent of same-sex marriage in Australia, doubled down by saying: “No child should be deliberately deprived of their father. Children aren’t lifestyle accessories – they’re human beings with rights. Love is not enough. Every child deserves a mum and a dad wherever possible.”
His comments were echoed by United Australia Party Senator Ralph Babet, who also insisted that children “need both a mother and a father.”
Despite the criticism, Kerr and Mewis remain one of the most high-profile sporting couples, representing Australia and the United States respectively while both playing in the UK. They became engaged in September 2023 and plan to marry in December.
Kerr is currently recovering from a serious ACL injury suffered in early 2024 while training with Chelsea. She resumed individual workouts in January, but her full return to football remains uncertain.
