Unsworth's suicide was particularly controversial because it took place in the context of a number of vigorous debates in Australia about LGBTI issues, notably same-sex marriage and LGBTI-specific anti-bullying programs in schools.
It was criticized by conservatives prominent in both media and politics, who contended that the program was more about enforcing a radical view of sexuality and gender on school children than its stated goals.
[4][5] It was also criticized by socially conservative activists such as the Australian Christian Lobby, who objected to its affirmation of homosexuality and its opposition to homophobia.
[6][7] On 23 February, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced that the program would be reviewed,[8] a move heavily criticized by LGBTI advocates and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten.
[20] After taking over the leadership of the Liberal Party and Prime Ministership in September 2015, Malcolm Turnbull pledged to continue the government's support for a plebiscite.
Labor pledged a parliamentary vote on same-sex marriage if it was elected, with Shorten citing the Orlando nightclub shooting as highlighting the possible dangers of a plebiscite.
A friend of Unsworth has reported that the day before he died by suicide, he was on a fishing trip with her and revealed the extent of the bullying he was facing.
Unsworth's grandmother wrote:[52]Now you're at ease and peaceful, lay to rest my beautiful grandson, you be flying high with the butterflies and your fairy angels will be guarding you way up in the sky our darling little grandson.Aspley State High School principal Jacquinta Miller said in a statement that "no allegation of bullying against this young person was made to our school.
[56] On 5 December, the ABC featured a report on Unsworth's life, suicide and the issues of homophobia and bullying in Australia on its 7.30 program.
The Safe Schools Coalition released a statement saying it was "grieving the loss of a precious young life and express our deepest sympathies to the family and friends effected and ask that the public respect their right to privacy.
"[59] The New South Wales Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby said that Unsworth's suicide was "why we need Safe Schools", and "Our thoughts are with his devastated family.
"[60] Micah Scott, the head of Australian LGBTI youth group Minus18, said that "Tyrone's experience isn't an isolated incident.
[62] Opposition Leader Bill Shorten called Unsworth's suicide "heartbreaking", described him as a "brave young man", and stated that "The importance of Safe Schools has never been clearer to me.
"[63] Deputy Opposition Leader Tanya Plibersek described the news as "absolutely heartbreaking" and that "Labor's thoughts are with Tyrone's lived ones.
[2] Queensland Education Minister Kate Jones stated that "the heartbreaking story here is that we know young people who identify as LGBTI are more likely to commit suicide.
"[65] The Australian Family Association called the news of Unsworth's suicide "horrible", while reiterating that the Safe Schools Coalition was "not about bullying.
[69] Rodney Croome stated that Unsworth was "being bullied beyond the grave" and that the operation of fake accounts "highlights how deep the hatred of LGBTI people still runs in some parts of Australian society.
"[citation needed] Unsworth's suicide sparked fierce criticism of conservative activists who had campaigned against LGBTI anti-bullying initiatives such as the Safe Schools Coalition.
"[70] Equal Marriage Rights Australia asserted that the Australian Christian Lobby and other conservative activists had "so much blood on its hands" due to Unsworth's suicide.
[68] Daily Telegraph contributor Shannon Molloy wrote that "there are a lot of people with the innocent blood of a 13-year-old boy on their hands this week" and wondered "if they're happy about it."
He accused some conservative activists of "devoting significant portions of their lives to attacking, persecuting, degrading and seeking the continued marginalisation of gay, lesbian and transgender people" and said he "wouldn't be surprised if inside their cold, dead hearts there's a rare and excited beat" over Unsworth's death.
[71] Contributor for The Guardian Nic Holas wrote that anger over the death "is best directed" towards "architects" of the campaign against the Safe Schools Coalition.
He identified those architects as "the editors and staff of conservative newspapers; the rightwing politicians like Queensland's own George Christensen, who continues to attack any and every aspect of the Safe Schools program and had the temerity to gloat after he successfully "gutted" the anti-bullying program; the Australian Christian Lobby who target LGBTIQA children and illegally use their images to spread a deceitful campaign."
[72] Fairfax Media writer John Birmingham wrote that Unsworth's suicide was an example of "the real-world consequences of the cruel games played by politicians like George Christensen and Cory Bernardi, and the cowardice of Malcolm Turnbull".
"[74] The Labor politician Cathy O'Toole said that the federal government had made "incredibly cruel and divisive remarks" about the program.
[2] Courier Mail contributor Lauren Martyn-Jones wrote that "Tyrone Unsworth is just the sort of kid the Safe Schools program was established to support, before it became mired in controversy and ended up as a whipping post for the right-wing, anti-PC brigade.
"[75] The Salvation Army was criticised for issuing a statement shortly after Unsworth's death saying that it would not support the Safe Schools Coalition in its current form.
On 3 February 2017, the police force concluded their investigation and said in a statement that Unsworth's assailant, also a 13-year-old boy, was "being dealt with under the provisions of the Youth Justice Act".
[80] On 18 April 2017, Tasmanian Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff announced that, like New South Wales, Tasmania would also not fund the program beyond 30 June 2017, and would instead implement a different anti-bullying initiative.