Woman wants to change the name of 'Father's Day' to "offensive" new term

An early childhood activist has caused outrage across the Tasman after suggesting Father’s Day be renamed to ‘Special Person’s Day’.

Dr Red Ruby Scarlet is pushing for the change so kids without dads won’t feel left out.

Speaking on Australian current affairs show Today Tonight, Dr Scarlet said families without fathers aren’t opposed to the idea.

"We have single parent families, satellite families, extended families, lesbian and gay families," she said.

"There’s a range of different communities across Australia."

But her ideas have been met withmajor criticism, with many labelling her “offensive”.

New South Wales Liberal minister David Elliott was one of many who took to Facebook to share his disgust.

“Can’t believe that someone who professes to be ‘enlightened’ would advocate such crap,” Mr Elliott wrote.

“People still celebrate fatherhood even after their father and grandfathers have passed away, in fact for many people Father’s Day is a wonderful time of reflecting and remembering.”

He went on: “Dr Red Ruby Scarlet — you are the offensive one. Maybe we should start a campaign to address that.”