Tag: Tasmania
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Surrogacy in Tasmania and the National Push for Abolition: Our Voice in the ALRC Review
Tasmania’s Surrogacy Act 2012 was designed with the best interests of the child in mind. It permits only altruistic (non-commercial) gestational surrogacy, requires written agreements, judicial oversight through parentage orders, and residency rules for both surrogates and intended parents. Yet even this tightly regulated framework cannot eliminate the inherent risks of physical, psychological and economic…
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Tasmania’s Mental Health Strategy Must Put Women and Girls First
The Tasmanian Government is currently developing its new mental health strategy, Rethink and Beyond 2026–2031 — an opportunity to build a system that is genuinely trauma-informed, evidence-based, and responsive to the needs of vulnerable Tasmanians. Women Speak Tasmania has made a formal submission to the consultation process, focusing specifically on the mental health needs of…
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Tasmanian Mental Health Strategy – Rethink and Beyond (2026–2031)
The Tasmanian Government is currently developing the next Tasmanian Mental Health Strategy – Rethink and Beyond (2026–2031). Women Speak Tasmania has made a formal submission to this important consultation. Our submission is based directly on the AAWAA UN OHCHR submission on mental health and human rights (October 2024) and on Tasmania-specific statistics, particularly around male…
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Request to Remove “I Am Jazz” from Tasmanian Schools – Letter to the Tasmanian Premier
Letter sent to Tasmania Premier, Jeremy Rockliff, on 19.03.26 Dear Premier, I have written to Jo Palmer, as Minister for Education, regarding the Tasmanian Department of Education’s decision to include the book, I Am Jazz, on the reading list for children aged 11 to 12, or any children, really. I also send it to you…
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Protecting Single-Sex Services for Female Survivors – Email to Meg Webb
Email sent to Independent MLC for Nelson, Meg Webb, on 20.04.26 Subject: Thank You for Speaking at the No More Violence Rally – Protecting Single-Sex Services for Female Survivors Dear Ms Webb, I write on behalf of Women Speak Tasmania to thank you for addressing the “No More Violence Rally” on Parliament Lawns yesterday, Sunday…
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Calls for Legal Protection of Sex After “No More Violence Rally”
Women Speak Tasmania applauds the more than 100 Tasmanians who gathered yesterday at the “No More Violence Rally” on Parliament Lawns. Organised by What Were You Wearing Australia, the rally demanded stronger action and funding to end men’s violence against women and children ahead of the May State Budget. Tasmania’s chronically low funding for sex-based…
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Transparency in Relationships and Sexuality Education – Letter to the Children’s Commissioner
Letter sent to the Interim Children’s Commissioner, Ms Isabelle Crompton on 26.03.26 Dear Ms Crompton, Subject: Concerns regarding transparency and parental engagement in Relationships and Sexuality Education programs in Tasmanian schools I am writing on behalf of Women Speak Tasmania to raise concerns about a potential systemic issue affecting student wellbeing and parental engagement in…
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Request to Remove the Portrait of Martine Delaney from the Wall of Women display at Cascades Female Factory Historic Site – Email to Madeleine Ogilvie
Email sent to Minister for Arts and Heritage, Madeleine Ogilvie MP, on 16.04.26 Dear Minister Ogilvie, I am writing to respectfully request the removal of the portrait of Martine Delaney (a biological male) from the Wall of Women display at the World Heritage-listed Cascades Female Factory Historic Site in South Hobart. The Cascades Female Factory…
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Editorial Activism and the Loss of Public Trust
Local newspapers once played a vital role in Tasmanian communities. They were not simply businesses or platforms for headlines — they were forums where ordinary people could debate local issues, raise concerns, respond to public decisions, and feel connected to civic life. Increasingly, many Tasmanians feel that role is disappearing. As a women’s rights organisation…
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Opinion: Parents Deserve Balanced Reporting on Gender-Distressed Youth
A recent article in The Examiner (11 April 2026), titled “Where can I find help? New initiative to connect fathers of trans kids”, highlights a new initiative supporting fathers of transgender-identifying children. It raises an important issue — but also an important concern. Where are the other voices? The piece presents a single, affirming perspective:…