Victorian Education Minister accuses federal government of ‘caving in to bigots’ on Safe Schools program

The Victorian Government has advised it will not make any changes to the controversial Safe Schools anti-bullying program despite amendments to the program by the federal government.

Victorian Education Minister James Merlino confirmed on Twitter that there would be no changes to the program in Victorian schools after the federal government's "total cave-in to bigots".

Prime Minister Malcom Turnbull has since played down the state’s decision to go it alone.

"The Victorian government obviously can fund whatever programs it wishes," Mr Turnbull said.

The federal government unveiled changes to the program yesterday, after an independent review found some lessons and content were inappropriate for children.

As a result, program materials - such as those titled "OMG I'm Queer" - will be now be limited to secondary schools.

Lesson plans that make children role-play scenarios about switching gender will also be cut.

A chorus of conservative federal government backbenchers led the revolt against the program, which focuses on gender diversity and same-sex issues.

Mr Merlino has told the ABC that the program saved lives and that Victoria would continue to expand it into every government secondary school.

The state government will also contribute extra money if Canberra pulls funding.

With AAP.