The Australian Government’s recent announcement to actively oppose sexual discrimination against transgender people has prompted many reactions throughout the nation. The Government was criticized for its naivety in supporting reform that would allow male-bodied individuals to participate in female tournaments as long as they identify as a woman. In response, Minister for Sport and Women, Senator Bridget McKenzie commented by saying ‘we support this bill now because we want sports policy that is fair and encourages participation.
The Australian Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the LGBTI community by announcing a new policy regarding Transgender athletes in single-sex sporting tournaments. Minister for Sport and Women, Senator Bridget McKenzie has commented by saying ‘we support this bill now because we want sports policy that is fair and encourages participation’. In response, the government will now provide more opportunities for transgender people who wish to participate in their desired sporting field.
As part of its broader policy for reform within Australia’s sporting system, the Australian Government has announced an amendment to prevent transgender discrimination in single-sex tournaments. Allowing access to both genders across all sports is part of reforms that support an inclusive environment for LGBTI members of civic society. Minister for Sport and Women, Senator Bridget McKenzie commented by saying ‘we support this bill now because we want sports policy that is fair and encourages participation.
Transgender people could be forced out of national and state-organised sporting competitions ‘unless they agree to undergo sex-change surgery’, under a bill being pushed by Australian Conservatives Senator Cory Bernardi.
The Private Member’s Bill would amend the Sex Discrimination Act to enable bodies that run single-sex competitions – such as the AFL, netball or swimming associations – to exclude competitors who have ‘undergone sexual reassignment surgery’.
Senator Bernardi told Fairfax Media he believed the issue was about fair competition.
‘We don’t have weight classes in boxing for a reason,’ he said.
‘It is not fair on the stronger athlete to compete with someone outside his weight class because it impacts on who wins and loses.’
A bill which would enable bodies that run single sex competitions such as swimming associations to exclude people who have undergone sexual reassignment surgery has been backed by the Australian Conservatives Senator Cory Bernardi.
The Private Member’s Bill would amend the Sex Discrimination Act to enable bodies that run single sex competitions, such as the AFL, netball or swimming associations to exclude competitors who have had surgery.
Senator Bernardi said he believed the issue was about fair competition.
‘We don’t have weight classes in boxing for a reason, it is not fair on the stronger athlete to compete with someone outside his weight class because it impacts on who wins and loses,’ he said.
