Janet Rice (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

(i) the Attorney-General, the Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, the Minister for International Development and the Pacific, the Assistant Minister for Women and 17 other members of the Government recently voted in support of a motion to deny transgender young people access to medical care,

(ii) Liberal and National senators voted in support of an earlier transphobic motion that would prevent government agencies from using inclusive language, and

(iii) it is still legal for schools to expel students and sack staff because of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity despite the commitment of the Prime Minister in 2018 to end discrimination against same sex attracted and gender diverse young people; and

(b) calls on the Federal Government to:

(i) ensure that the rights of LGBTIQ+ people are protected, including through changes to anti-discrimination law, rather than adopting positions that undermine the rights of LGBTIQ+ people, and

(ii) commit to consulting with LGBTIQ+ people, women, disability groups, minority religious groups and all others impacted, in the process of further redrafting its proposed legislation on religious discrimination.

Dean Smith (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Dean Smith (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The coalition government abhors discrimination and is committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of every young Australian. The clinical treatment of children experiencing gender dysphoria is a complex and evolving field, and state and territory governments are being encouraged to work to develop a nationally consistent approach to best practice treatment with appropriate safeguards. The government has acknowledged the diversity of perspectives that senators in the broader community bring to this debate in good faith. This was reflected in the decision to allow coalition senators a conscience vote on an earlier motion.

The government believes schools should be not be permitted to discriminate against students or staff on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The government has stated that any changes to the Sex Discrimination Act should make clear that discrimination against students and staff is unacceptable while ensuring religious educational institutions can teach in a manner consistent with the tenets of their faith.

The government will engage with LGBTIQ groups and will undertake thorough consultation ahead of any future reforms of Australia's antidiscrimination laws. Assertions that the rights of LGBTIQ Australians have been or will be undermined or wound back are without foundation. It is the view of coalition senators— (Time expired)

Malcolm Roberts (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Malcolm Roberts (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

One Nation does not support this motion, as it misrepresents the intentions behind One Nation's stance on protecting our children. All children, including those who present with gender dysphoria, have a right to therapeutic and medical care. Therapeutic care is underutilised for children presenting with gender dysphoria. Children should not be put on a medical pathway with irreversible outcomes. It is not helpful to all children who need support to label everyone who disagrees with Senator Rice's world view as being transphobic. That will never address the anguish that these children and parents face. It will suppress alternative views. It is subtle censorship based on trying to shame people whose views differ. One Nation supports an inclusive approach because we do not carve out special groups to protect at the expense of others. Inclusiveness starts with a state of mind, and a thousand variations on a man and a woman will never include everyone as long as there are those who choose to identify as a victim first.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that the motion moved by Senator Rice be agreed to.