Women Speak Tasmania

Misleading Terminology and Lack of Balance in Rodney Croome Segment – Complaint to ABC

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Email sent to ABC Hobart on 21 May 2026

Dear ABC Hobart Breakfast Team,

I am writing to formally complain about the segment aired on 21 May 2026 featuring Rodney Croome discussing proposed changes to Tasmania’s Anti-Discrimination Act.

1. Misleading terminology (“biological gender”) The discussion used the term “biological gender.” This is scientifically inaccurate and likely to confuse listeners. In standard scientific, medical, and legal usage:

  • Sex is biological (male or female, based on chromosomes, gametes, and reproductive development).
  • Gender is widely understood as a social or personal construct.

The actual debate concerns adding protections based on biological sex. Using “biological gender” misrepresents the issue and is misleading on a public broadcaster. I hope this was unintentional.

2. Lack of balance and right of reply The segment discussed legislation and a public petition calling for biological sex to be explicitly protected in Tasmania’s Anti-Discrimination Act 1998, in order to safeguard single-sex spaces, services, and fair sport for women and girls.

Only Rodney Croome’s viewpoint was presented. No representative from Women Speak Tasmania (the group behind the petition) or any women’s rights perspective was included for balance. This allowed several misleading or contested claims to go unchallenged, including:

  • The claim of “almost 30 years” of transgender (gender identity) protections — these were only added in 2013.
  • The assertion that biological sex testing (e.g. cheek swab / SRY gene test) is “quite invasive” — this is a simple, non-invasive test now used by World Athletics.
  • Claims of “no problems” and “no disadvantage to women,” which dismiss the concerns of many female athletes and service users.

As a man, Mr Croome cannot speak authoritatively on female experiences in single-sex spaces. Presenting only his ideological perspective on this important legislative issue does not meet ABC standards of impartiality and balance.

I hope ABC will:

  • Acknowledge this complaint.
  • Ensure future coverage of this issue includes balanced viewpoints from all sides.
  • Consider a follow-up segment with a women’s rights perspective.

This is a significant legislative issue affecting women and girls in Tasmania. The public deserves accurate terminology and fair representation of all sides.

Thank you for your attention. I look forward to your response.

Dr Elizabeth Caballero

President, Women Speak Tasmania

LINKS:

Follow-up: Complaint ticket 792673 – Email sent on 01 July 2026.

Dear ABC Audience Support / Ombudsman’s Office,

I am writing to follow up on my formal complaint with ticket reference 792673, submitted on 21 May 2026.

The complaint concerned the ABC Hobart Breakfast segment featuring Rodney Croome discussing proposed changes to Tasmania’s Anti-Discrimination Act. Specifically, I raised concerns about:

  • The use of scientifically inaccurate and misleading terminology (“biological gender”); and
  • A clear lack of balance and right of reply, with only one viewpoint presented and no inclusion of perspectives from Women Speak Tasmania or women’s rights advocates.

I received an automated acknowledgement on 21 May but have not received any substantive response or update since then.

Could you please advise on the current status of this complaint and whether it has been referred to the Ombudsman’s Office for assessment? As this relates to editorial standards of accuracy, impartiality, and balance on a matter of significant public interest in Tasmania, I would appreciate an update.

Thank you for your assistance. I look forward to your reply.

Kind regards,

Dr. Elizabeth Caballero

Retired General Practitioner

President | Women Speak Tasmania

Email from ABC Jo Spargo Local Manager 936 ABC Hobart on 06 July 2026

Dear Dr Caballero,

Thank you for your email and for taking the time to raise your concerns regarding the 936 ABC Hobart Breakfast segment featuring Rodney Croome discussing proposed changes to Tasmania’s Anti-Discrimination Act.

Firstly, I apologise for the delay in responding to your original complaint and you having to follow up.

I have discussed your concerns with the Breakfast team and followed up in person this morning. The team appreciates the feedback you have provided and understands the concerns you have raised. There was no intention to misrepresent the issue through the use of terminology that may be considered scientifically inaccurate.

Mr Croome was invited to speak in his capacity as spokesperson for Equality Tasmania and to comment on the proposed legislative changes, rather than as an authority on matters relating to single-sex spaces.

Your feedback has been carefully considered, and the team will use it to inform further interviews.

If you’re dissatisfied with this response you can request for the ABC Ombudsman to review your complaint. You must make the request within two (2) weeks from this response using the Ombudsman review request form. For more information visit the How the ABC deals with complaints webpage or the Ombudsman Complaint Procedure.

Alternatively, you may be able to pursue your complaint with the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) www.acma.gov.au. The ACMA, however does not deal with complaints about ABC online content. 

Thank you again for taking the time to bring your concerns to our attention.

Kind regards,

Jo Spargo

Local Manager

936 ABC Hobart