Sex Discrimination Amendment (Sex-based Rights) Bill 2026

Stage by Stage

Summaries in reported speech - not a transcript. In date order, both chambers.

1. Monday 25 May 2026 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   Alison Penfold moved the second reading of the bill, arguing that current laws fail to protect women's sex-based rights due to ambiguity introduced in 2013. She contended that the legislation restores clarity by defining sex as binary and protecting women-only spaces, while maintaining protections against unfair discrimination for transgender Australians. Penfold cited the Federal Court ruling in Giggle v Tickle as evidence of legal confusion and called for either government support for the bill or the establishment of a joint select committee. The debate consisted of a single speech, with no other members contributing to the record provided.

   Outcome: The transcript provided contains only the opening speech by Alison Penfold and does not record the final outcome or vote on the bill.

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2. Monday 29 June 2026 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   The debate concerned the Sex Discrimination Amendment (Sex-based Rights) Bill 2026, which sought to restore biological definitions of sex to federal law. Both speakers supported the legislation, arguing that previous amendments had eroded protections for women in spaces such as shelters and sports. They cited recent court rulings and statistics on violence against women to justify the need for clear legal distinctions. The speakers emphasised that the bill would protect women-only spaces without diminishing the dignity of transgender Australians.

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