Sex Discrimination Amendment (Restoring Biological Definitions) Bill 2025

Senator GALLAGHER (Australian Capital Territory—Minister for Finance, Minister for the Public Service, Minister for Women, Minister for Government Services and Manager of Government Business in the Senate) (12:05): I seek leave to make a short statement. The PRESIDENT: Leave is granted for one minute. Senator GALLAGHER: I understand the arguments that Senator Scarr has put and agree that it is normal custom and practice in this place to allow for bills to be introduced.

However, in the last term the government did take a stand on another similar bill. We took the position that we were dealing with it at the first reading stage because of the harm that could be caused by creating a platform for parliamentary debate over it and its impact on individuals—particularly young Australians. That is the position we took in the last parliament.

It is the position we are taking now. We do not agree with the Senate being a place where individual harm can be done to young people across this country. That is what would have happened had we allowed this bill to proceed in the normal course, and we won't stand for it.

Trans children deserve better from this chamber.