Shorten 'unhinged': Bernardi

Outspoken Liberal senator Cory Bernardi has accused Bill Shorten of having a "Mark Latham moment", labelling the opposition leader "brittle and unhinged".

Senator Bernardi lashed out in the Senate on Wednesday, accusing Mr Shorten of having "gone into full homophobe mode" in the debate over a controversial taxpayer-funded program which teaches students about gay and lesbian issues.

The two exchanged barbs earlier in the day, as Senator Bernardi happened to walk past a press conference where Mr Shorten told reporters about the "ridiculous" obsession the Liberal Party's right wing had with the Safe Schools program.

"That would be the chap," the opposition leader said.

Senator Bernardi hit back, labelling Mr Shorten a "fraud", to which Mr Shorten responded: "At least I'm not a homophobe, mate."

Senator Bernardi told parliament the incident was a sad indictment on the current state of political debate, labelling Mr Shorten one of the most shallow individuals to make a contribution.

"Mr Shorten had his Mark Latham moment today, where he proved how brittle and unhinged he truly is.

"This man is unfit to put forward an agenda on behalf of the Australian nation."

Senator Bernardi accused Labor and the Greens of resorting to name calling in the debate over the "garbage" being endorsed in schools.