Women Speak Tasmania

Category: Blog

  • Lawfare Against Cr Louise Elliot Enabled by Bureaucrats 

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    Elected representatives should be able to discuss matters of public policy — particularly contentious issues involving women’s rights, child safeguarding, and legislation — without facing prolonged legal processes for expressing political opinions. Regardless of where one stands on debates surrounding gender identity, the use of anti-discrimination complaints against elected officials raises important questions about freedom…

  • Women Speak Tasmania Conference 2024 – Westbury

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    Women Speak Tasmania held its three-day conference in Westbury from 20–22 November 2024, bringing together members from across the state for planning, reflection, advocacy, and fellowship. The conference began as a member-led initiative inspired by Emma, who recognised the value of bringing our members together in person. Living in different parts of Tasmania can make…

  • Gender and Sexuality Inclusive Language – UTAS Ethics Committee

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    In October 2024, members of the University of Tasmania’s Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) received an email titled “Gender and Sexuality Inclusive Language – Guidelines.” The email, sent by Cynthia A. Awruch (Manager Research Ethics), was blunt: “It is the University of Tasmania’s policy for all researchers to use inclusive language in their research and…

  • Tickle v Giggle: Why This Case Matters for Sex-Based Rights in Australia

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    The Federal Court case Tickle v Giggle has become one of the most significant legal disputes in recent Australian debates about sex, gender identity, and single-sex spaces. The ruling is already influencing discussions about anti-discrimination law, women-only services, and how the Sex Discrimination Act is interpreted. What Was the Case About? The case began in…

  • Women Speak Tasmania Launches Our Official Website

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    Women Speak Tasmania is proud to announce the launch of our official website! Since our founding in 2018, our mission has been clear: to protect, defend, and restore the sex-based rights of women and children in Tasmania. Over the years, our members have worked tirelessly—through submissions, advocacy, public events, and community outreach—to hold governments and…

  • Panel on Free Speech in Australia and Book Launch

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    Recently, the Free Speech Union Australia hosted a discussion panel at Hobart Town Hall featuring Irish comedy writer Graham Linehan, speaking about his book Tough Crowd. Linehan described his experience of professional and social exclusion following comments and comedy material relating to gender identity. He spoke about losing work opportunities, being removed from social media…

  • A Dark Day for Women’s Free Speech and Right to Lawful and Peaceful Assembly in Tasmania

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    How Tasmania Police fail to protect women from violence outside Parliament House In Tasmania we like to regard our state as a peaceful and accepting place where our people can safely and freely discuss the important issues of the day. But on Tuesday 21st, March 2023 we found to our dismay that there is one…

  • Robin Banks, Women Speak Tasmania and the WILPF Controversy: A Historical Record

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    Introduction In late 2018, Women Speak Tasmania (WST) became involved in a public controversy that raised questions about freedom of expression, political disagreement, and the participation of women in debates surrounding proposed gender law reforms in Tasmania. The dispute began after former Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Commissioner Robin Banks contacted the Women’s International League for Peace and…

  • The Dispute Between WoLF Tasmania and Anti-Discrimination Commissioner Robin Banks: A Historical Record

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    Introduction In 2016, a dispute arose between Tasmania’s Anti-Discrimination Commissioner, Robin Banks, and members of the Women’s Liberation Front (WoLF) Tasmania during consultation on proposed reforms to Tasmania’s Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act. The dispute centred on recommendations that would have removed the requirement for sex reassignment surgery before a person could legally change…

  • Tasmanian Tribunal Refuses Exemption for Lesbian-Only Events

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    In 2021, Launceston woman Jessica Hoyle, with the support of LGB Alliance Australia, applied to Tasmania’s Anti-Discrimination Commissioner for an exemption to hold lesbian-only social events. The aim was to create spaces exclusively for same-sex attracted women — events that would exclude biological males, including males who identify as transgender women. Hoyle argued that lesbians…