Tag: 2026
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A Look at Montrose Bay High School’s “Let’s Talk About Sex” Unit
A concerned parent recently provided Women Speak Tasmania with a copy of the Year 8 Health and Physical Education (HPE) workbook currently being used at Montrose Bay High School in Tasmania. The booklet, titled Let’s Talk About Sex, forms part of the school’s Term 2 2026 curriculum. It covers gender identity, sexuality, consent, contraception and…
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Legal Brothels Will Not Protect Women: Why Tasmania Needs a Proper Review of Its Sex Industry Laws
On 12 July 2026, The Examiner published an article calling Tasmania’s sex work laws “outdated and dangerous” and urging reform to allow commercial brothels. The piece followed a Change.org petition by Phillip Cox. Mr Cox argues that legal brothels would improve safety and reduce exploitation. The Tasmanian Government and Labor Opposition have both stated they…
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Analysis of the Sex Industry Offences Act 2005 (Tasmania)
Overview The Sex Industry Offences Act 2005 (Tas) is the primary legislation regulating the sex industry in Tasmania. It commenced on a day to be proclaimed and remains in force (as at July 2026). The long title states that the Act imposes restrictions on the operation of sexual services businesses in order to protect children…
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Request for Review of the Sex Industry Offences Act 2005 and Adoption of the Nordic/Equality Model – Email to AG Guy Barnett
Email sent to Tasmania Attorney General Guy Barnett on 13 July 2026 Dear Attorney General Barnett, Re: Request for Review of the Sex Industry Offences Act 2005 and Adoption of the Nordic Model to Address Violence, Exploitation and Barriers to Exit I am writing on behalf of Women Speak Tasmania to urge you to initiate a…
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Hundreds Gather in Brisbane to Restore Women’s Rights
On Sunday 12 July 2026, several hundred people gathered in Queens Gardens in the heart of Brisbane for the Restore Women’s Rights – Fix the Act! rally. The event brought together women and men from across Australia concerned about the erosion of sex-based rights and the urgent need to restore clear biological definitions in Australian law. The…
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On Restoring Biological Definitions in the Sex Discrimination Act – Email to Andrew Wilkie MP
I sent Andrew one of his postcards inviting contact. I urged him to work for restoring the definition of ‘woman’ in the SDA. This is the reply I got, on July 9. Dear Anne Thank you for taking the time to return Andrew’s postcard. Andrew acknowledges your views, but does not agree with attempts to…
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ABC’s Failure to Cover Recent Women’s Rights Rallies – Letter to Media Watch
Letter sent to Linton Besser from Media Watch on 6 July 2026 Dear Linton, I would like to ask Media Watch to examine the ABC’s apparent decision not to report on the recent women’s rights rallies held in Melbourne and other Australian cities. The rallies attracted hundreds of participants, required significant police operations, faced organised…
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McKim’s Conduct Unbecoming of a Senator – Letter to Greens Leader Larissa Waters
This letter was sent to Senator Larissa Waters, Leader of the Australian Greens, on 4 July 2026 in response to Senator Nick McKim’s heated Senate comments on 30 June 2026. In those remarks, McKim criticised One Nation’s approach to transgender issues and used strong language such as “toilet police” and “wannabe genital inspectors” to describe…
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Standing Up for Sall Grover and Sex-Based Rights – Melbourne & Perth Rallies
On Saturday 4 July 2026, women and supporters gathered at rallies across Australia in support of Sall Grover and calls to restore sex-based rights in Australia’s discrimination laws. Melbourne Rally – Victorian Parliament House Women gathered on the steps of Parliament House for the Restore Women’s Rights Rally. The event was organised by Victoria Street…
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When Language Becomes Power: From US Supreme Court Clarity to Tasmanian Confusion
On 30 June 2026, the United States Supreme Court delivered a landmark ruling affirming that states may determine eligibility for women’s and girls’ sports based on biological sex. In West Virginia v. B.P.J. and Little v. Hecox, the Court held that laws reserving female sporting categories for biological females are consistent with Title IX and…