Title: Commissioner condemns 'retrograde' bid to change male and female definitions in Sex Discrimination ActLink To: Article 🔗 [Link: abc.net.au/news/2026-06-05/sex-discrimination-bill-backlash-human-rights-trans-community/106755840/]Author: Marina Trajkovich and Claire Simmonds
Date: Posted Fri 5 Jun 2026 at 9:01am
Trigger Warning: This article discusses violence.
Brief summary of the articleAustralia's sex discrimination commissioner has criticised a private member's bill that would redefine man and woman in the Sex Discrimination Act by biological sex. Nationals MP Alison Penfold says the bill is intended to protect the rights of biological females in women-only spaces, while LGBTQI+ groups warn it could undermine protections for gender diverse Australians. The article includes responses from Commissioner Anna Cody, Ms Penfold and members of the trans and LGBTQI+ community.
Main Points of the Article"Australia's sex discrimination commissioner has criticised proposed changes to the Sex Discrimination Act which would change the legal definition of a man and woman to be defined purely by sex."
"It aims to change the legal definition of a man and woman as defined purely by biological sex."
"The women's movement has fought for centuries to avoid being defined only by biology."
"It sends a strong message to a tiny, marginalised, disadvantaged community which is less than one per cent of the population that they're not welcome, their needs aren't important, and that their right to be welcome and included in society is not being respected."
"Women should not be silenced into submission to accept a law that takes away their right to say 'no' to men."
"The Bill does not remove protections for transgender Australians. Gender identity remains a protected attribute under the proposal."
"There is absolutely no research, no evidence that demonstrates that enabling trans women to use those spaces, that there is a greater risk of danger."
"I'm now classed as a female on my birth certificate, on my driver's licence. I think Alison is living in the days of the horse and cart."
Best Wishes AlwaysSarah BGlobal Moderator
