Tag: Tasmania
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Tasmanian Tribunal Refuses Exemption for Lesbian-Only Events
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…
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Who Speaks for Children? Commissioner Called to Support Gender Service Inquiry
In August 2022, Women Speak Tasmania wrote to Leanne McLean, Tasmania’s Commissioner for Children and Young People, calling for an independent inquiry into the treatment model being used by the Tasmanian Gender Service. This request followed the high-profile closure of England’s Tavistock Gender Identity Development Service, after an ongoing review by Dr Hillary Cass found the…
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Tasmanian Forum on Conversion Therapy Laws Highlights Free Speech and Debate
On November 23, 2022, the Free Speech Alliance Australia hosted a forum at Parliament House, Hobart, to discuss proposed Tasmanian laws banning conversion therapy. The event, supported by Liberal MP Lara Alexander, brought together experts, survivors, and concerned citizens to examine the risks, impacts, and consultation process surrounding the legislation. Forum convener Isla MacGregor welcomed…
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Robust and respectful free debate is vital
Cassy O’Connor’s recent call for Premier Jeremy Rockliff to ban the Free Speech Alliance Australia forum at Parliament House on conversion therapy laws is regrettable. Democracy can only flourish when there is informed, robust and respectful free debate. The Tasmanian Law Reform Institute final report on the issue has not received any scrutiny by the…
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Media Accountability: When the ABC Sidelines Critical Voices in the Gender Identity Debate
In our ongoing efforts to ensure meaningful and evidence-based public discourse, and to express our disappointment with the inadequate and unsatisfactory response we received from ABC Hobart Manager, Marcus Cheek, Isla MacGregor recently wrote to Fiona Cameron—ABC Tasmania’s Ombudsman—expressing deep concern over the broadcaster’s biased and incomplete coverage of gender identity law reform discussions. Requesting…
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ABC Biased Reportage on Gender Identity Law Reforms – Email to the ABC Fiona Cameron
Below is a series of emails to Fiona Cameron, where WST comments about the ABC biased reporting on gender identity law reforms. Letter from Isla MacGregor 15.11.22 Dear Fiona, Complaint: ABC Tasmania biased reportage on gender identity law reforms I am writing to you to further my complaint already sent to ABC Hobart Manager Marcus…
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Tasmanian Attorney-General appointed members for TASCAT outside panel’s recommendations
Tasmania’s Attorney-General Elise Archer says she chose members for a tribunal over candidates recommended by its selection panel because she wanted to preserve the tribunal’s independence from politics. The Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (TASCAT) is a specialist tribunal which deals with dispute resolution. Its selection panel recommended 17 candidates for appointment in June this year.…