Opened the debate
McKim moved that the bill be read a second time, arguing it would establish a dedicated commissioner to protect the human rights of LGBTIQA+ people. McKim stated that this role would ensure discrimination against these groups is treated with the same seriousness as discrimination against women, people with disability, and other protected attributes. McKim noted that sexual orientation, gender identity, and intersex status were the only attributes in Commonwealth anti-discrimination laws without a specific commissioner. McKim argued the bill would fill this gap by creating a role within the Australian Human Rights Commission. McKim also supported replacing the phrase 'intersex status' with 'innate variations of sex characteristics' to align with the Darlington Statement and legal reforms in several states and territories.