Image: Sydney Morning Herald/Louise Kennerley

A UK-based historian is trying to clarify her views on ‘beastiality’ ahead of her appearance at the Festival of Dangerous Ideas.

Historian Joanna Bourke will be presenting The Last Taboo: What does loving animals mean? in a session recommended for those over the age of 16.

The bio reads in part, “Renowned historian Joanna Bourke explores the modern history of sex between humans and animals. Bourke looks at the changing meanings of ‘bestiality’ and ‘zoophilia’, and explores their psychiatric and sexual aspects as well as the ethics of animal loving.”

After Ben sent the link on to a “deeply concerned” NSW Arts Minister Ben Franklin, the government called for the talk to be cancelled.

She told the Herald in a new interview, “Any sort of genital contact with an animal is wrong … But what I seek to do is say ‘‘What do we mean by sex or erotica?’”

Politicians across the varying parties have questioned the talk.

“You’ve managed to unite the Liberal Party, the National Party, the Labor Party, and the Animal Justice Party,” Ben Fordham said.

“That doesn’t happen very often.”

Press PLAY below to hear Ben’s comments in full