NOTA reported (7 May) that Gloucester’s local member of Federal Parliament Alison Penfold had introduced a Private Members Bill into Parliament to amend the definitions of ‘man’ and ‘woman’ in the Sex Discrimination Act, suggesting that it was necessary to provide legal protections for women and girls.
Ms Penfold’s Bill provides that the definitions of ‘man’ and ‘woman’ should be solely based upon biological sex.
However, the proposal has been criticised by some, including the Australian Sex Discrimination Commissioner Dr Anna Cody, who has suggested that the changes would erode the rights of all women and were unnecessary.
The Sex Discrimination Commissioner is part of the Australian Human Rights Commission.
Dr Cody has described Ms Penfold’s proposal as a “retrograde step”, arguing that women should not be defined solely by biology and warning that the change could adversely affect transgender Australians.
The Human Rights Commission website has recently had this to say on the issue:
“The intensity of the current debate risks distracting from a far more urgent issue.
“There is no evidence that trans women are harming other women in toilets or change rooms.
“There is, however, overwhelming evidence that 22 women and children have died this year because of gendered violence.
“That is where national attention is most needed.
“That is where effort, policy, unity and collective focus must remain.
“Human rights are not a zero-sum exercise.
“Making sure one group is safe and protected does not mean the law does not ensure the safety and protection of all groups.
“The purpose of the law is to ensure that everyone can live safely, participate fully, and be treated with dignity.
“Trans and gender diverse people make up less than 1 per cent of Australia’s population.
“Their experiences should not be trivialised.
“It’s not just about the clothes someone puts on their body – it is about their identity, how they see themselves, and how they are seen by the world.
“It deserves to be understood with seriousness and respect.”
The Commissioner has also pointed out that there are already exemptions in the Sex Discrimination Act that support women’s sport where strength, stamina or physique is relevant.
Have your say on the issue: media@newsofthearea.com.au
By John WATTS
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