Letter sent to Minister for Police Felix Ellis on 23.11.25
Dear Minister Ellis,
Re: Request for Police Presence – Planned Protest at Parliament House During “Youth Gender Distress: Pathways to Holistic Care” Forum
Women Speak Tasmania is writing to request appropriate and responsible Tasmania Police oversight during the planned protest on the Parliament House lawns on the day of our forthcoming forum, Youth Gender Distress: Pathways to Holistic Care, to be held on 27 November 2025.
A public flyer circulating online from Grassroots Action Network promotes the protest using inflammatory and derogatory language, including referring to our speakers as “woman-hating trans exclusionary fools,” “the baddest (derogatory) psychiatrists,” and describing our event as “cis-supremacist bullshit.” Protesters are encouraged to “bring your wildest queer outfits… streamers, musical instruments and other bright, colourful or noise-making activities” and declare that “conversion rhetoric is unacceptable.”
We are deeply concerned about the safety and wellbeing of attendees entering and exiting the building. As you will be aware, at the Let Women Speak event in March 2023, multiple women were subjected to intimidation, verbal abuse, physical jostling and assault without sufficient police intervention. This failure to provide adequate protection has left many Tasmanians—particularly women—fearful about attending public events where activist groups explicitly signal aggression.
Already, comments on social media associated with this protest include statements such as:
“Colourful outfits are not my thing, but I have a snare drum and sticks — and I know when to use them.”
Such remarks indicate intent to generate noise disruption and possibly intimidate forum attendees.
The forum will be attended by Members of Parliament, clinicians, nurses, allied-health professionals, educators, academic specialists, community members, and parents and grandparents. They must be able to enter Parliament House without being subjected to threats, harassment, verbal assault, or physical intimidation.
We therefore request the following assurances:
- That Tasmania Police will maintain a visible and sufficient presence at Parliament House throughout the duration of the event and protest.
- That all attendees are able to enter and exit Parliament House safely, without intimidation, threats, bullying, or physical interference from protesters.
- That the level of noise generated by protesters is monitored and controlled, to prevent an environmental nuisance that would interfere with the conduct of the forum.
- That Tasmania Police monitor online threats and comments that may indicate escalation or intent to cause disruption or harm, including those referenced above.
- That police be alert to the potential for hate-motivated or targeted actions against attendees, and respond accordingly.
Women Speak Tasmania supports lawful protest. However, protest activity must not be permitted to cross into harassment, intimidation, or interference with the democratic rights of citizens to attend a peaceful forum inside their own Parliament.
We respectfully request confirmation that appropriate police arrangements will be put in place.
Yours sincerely,
Dr. Elizabeth Caballero
Retired General Practitioner
Director, Women Speak Tasmania
Cc: Hon. Guy Barnett
Cc: Carlo Di Falco MP
Response from Minister for Police Felix Ellis on 26.11.25
