Labor frontbencher Dave Kelly says the phrase “Blind Freddy” is an affront to “those of us who are disability access conscious”, prompting a debate about the collision between Australian vernacular and political correctness.

Mr Kelly, the Fisheries Minister, was defending his response to a CSIRO report on great white shark numbers in question time when he suggested his Federal Liberal counterpart’s language over the issue had been inappropriate.

“You will remember in the lead-up to that report coming out the Federal Liberal member, the Federal Environment Minister Josh Frydenberg, used that terrible quote for those of us who are disability access conscious.

He said, ‘Blind Freddy could see there are more sharks off the coast of WA than there used to be’,” Mr Kelly said.

A search of State Parliament Hansard reveals about 80 utterances of “Blind Freddy” since 2000, including several in the past few years by Labor MPs including Premier Mark McGowan, Deputy Premier Roger Cook, Corrective Services Minister Fran Logan and Legislative Council President Kate Doust.

Blind Citizens WA president Deanne Ferris said though the phrase was not popular among the visually impaired, politicians should be considering bigger issues confronting the sector, including access to the internet, education and employment.

“As someone who does have a vision impairment, and many of my friends are totally blind, when you hear that expression it usually means people should understand rather than see. Actually, I can understand that even though I have a vision impairment,” she said.

Greens disability spokes-woman Alison Xamon said Mr Kelly’s remark was “a bit rich coming from the guy who led the fear campaign against the disability justice centre” while in Opposition.

Liberal Democrat Aaron Stonehouse said Mr Kelly was virtue signalling.

“I would think a politician would be a bit more thick-skinned than to take offence to what is a piece of classic Australian slang,” he said.

“It’s political correctness gone awry.

“Anyone reading Josh Frydenberg’s comments would understand he’s talking about someone’s low perception, not someone who’s actually blind.”