Fix Tasmania’s Anti-Discrimination Law: Protect Women and Girls by Adding ‘Sex’
Fix Tasmania’s Anti-Discrimination Law: Protect Women and Girls by Adding ‘Sex’
The issue
Tasmania’s Anti-Discrimination Act 1998 is meant to protect everyone from unfair treatment. But right now, it has a serious gap.
It protects attributes like sexual orientation and gender identity — yet it does not explicitly protect “sex” (being male or female). Even more concerning, the term “gender” is included but not clearly defined. This creates real legal uncertainty — and it matters.
Even the Australian Human Rights Commission now publicly agrees with us. In its March 2026 report Equal Identities, the AHRC states clearly in its glossary:
“Gender is distinct from biological sex. Sex is defined by chromosomes, hormones and reproductive anatomy. Gender identity is an internal sense of self.”
Sex-based rights underpin many existing protections. Sexual orientation, for example, is defined in relation to sex. Women and girls also face sex-specific risks and needs — including in areas like sport, healthcare, prisons, and single-sex services. Without clear recognition of sex in law, these protections can become unclear, inconsistent, or open to challenge.
This petition is about fixing that gap — in a practical, balanced way.
We are calling on the Tasmanian Government to: Add “sex” (biological male and female) as a protected attribute in the Anti-Discrimination Act.
This is not about removing anyone’s rights. It’s about making the law clear, consistent, and fair for everyone.
Recognising sex in law aligns with international human rights frameworks, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), which focuses on sex-based discrimination. Tasmania has the opportunity to lead with clarity and fairness.
Without clear recognition of sex in law, these protections can become unclear, inconsistent, or open to challenge.
This petition is about fixing that gap — in a practical, balanced way.
👉 Sign this petition to ask Premier Jeremy Rockliff, Attorney-General Guy Barnett, and the Tasmanian Parliament to act now.
Sex is real. Clarity matters. Protect women and girls properly.
https://womenspeaktas.au/donate/
1,176
The issue
Tasmania’s Anti-Discrimination Act 1998 is meant to protect everyone from unfair treatment. But right now, it has a serious gap.
It protects attributes like sexual orientation and gender identity — yet it does not explicitly protect “sex” (being male or female). Even more concerning, the term “gender” is included but not clearly defined. This creates real legal uncertainty — and it matters.
Even the Australian Human Rights Commission now publicly agrees with us. In its March 2026 report Equal Identities, the AHRC states clearly in its glossary:
“Gender is distinct from biological sex. Sex is defined by chromosomes, hormones and reproductive anatomy. Gender identity is an internal sense of self.”
Sex-based rights underpin many existing protections. Sexual orientation, for example, is defined in relation to sex. Women and girls also face sex-specific risks and needs — including in areas like sport, healthcare, prisons, and single-sex services. Without clear recognition of sex in law, these protections can become unclear, inconsistent, or open to challenge.
This petition is about fixing that gap — in a practical, balanced way.
We are calling on the Tasmanian Government to: Add “sex” (biological male and female) as a protected attribute in the Anti-Discrimination Act.
This is not about removing anyone’s rights. It’s about making the law clear, consistent, and fair for everyone.
Recognising sex in law aligns with international human rights frameworks, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), which focuses on sex-based discrimination. Tasmania has the opportunity to lead with clarity and fairness.
Without clear recognition of sex in law, these protections can become unclear, inconsistent, or open to challenge.
This petition is about fixing that gap — in a practical, balanced way.
👉 Sign this petition to ask Premier Jeremy Rockliff, Attorney-General Guy Barnett, and the Tasmanian Parliament to act now.
Sex is real. Clarity matters. Protect women and girls properly.
https://womenspeaktas.au/donate/
1,176
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Petition created on 18 March 2026