Letter sent to the Premier on 14 October 2025
Dear Premier Rockliff,
Re: Protecting Women in Custody – Call for Clear Policy on Housing of Trans-Identifying Male Prisoners
Women Speak Tasmania commends Northern Territory Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro for her decisive leadership in banning born males from being housed in women’s prisons. This policy places the safety, dignity, and rights of female inmates at the forefront of correctional management.
We urge the Tasmanian Government to adopt a similar position and ensure that only women—female by birth—are accommodated in women’s prisons in Tasmania. As Chief Minister Finocchiaro stated, “There should be no men in women’s prisons, full stop.”
Tasmania should not wait for tragedy to strike before acting. Recent cases in other states, including South Australia and Victoria, have shown that placing male offenders who identify as women in female prisons exposes women to serious harm, including sexual assault. Women in custody are among the most vulnerable in our society, and they have the same right to safety and dignity as any other citizen.
We note that the Tasmanian Department of Justice is developing a Trans and Gender Diverse Prisoner Policy. However, it is concerning that no women’s organisations appear to have been consulted, despite the clear sex-based risks involved. This policy must not be shaped solely by ideology or gender identity frameworks that overlook the realities of male violence and female vulnerability.
We therefore call on your government to:
- Prohibit the placement of born males in women’s prisons, regardless of gender identity; and
- House trans-identifying male offenders in a dedicated or special unit within the men’s system, where their individual needs can be safely managed without compromising women’s rights or safety.
Premier, your intervention could ensure that Tasmanian women in custody are protected from avoidable risk and that Tasmania leads with clarity and compassion on this issue.
We would welcome an opportunity to meet with you and the Attorney General to discuss this matter further.
Yours sincerely,
Dr. Elizabeth Caballero (retired GP)
Director – Women Speak Tasmania
Cc: Hon. Guy Barnett
Cc: Hon. Jane Howlett
Response from Premier Rockliff on 24 October 2025
