Women's Health in the South East (WHISE) has expressed serious concern about the Sex Discrimination Amendment (Acknowledging Biological Reality) Bill 2024— legislation that would remove vital protections for trans and gender diverse people while offering no new safeguards for cisgender women.
"The Sex Discrimination Act as it stands is fundamental to our work building safer, more equitable communities across Southern Melbourne," said Kit McMahon, CEO of WHISE.
"This Bill would weaken the very framework that enables our prevention work with schools, workplaces, health services and local governments—work that depends on robust anti-discrimination protections for all women, trans and gender diverse people."
WHISE partners with communities across the region to prevent gender-based violence and advance health equity. This work is grounded in evidence: strong anti-discrimination protections create the conditions for inclusion, safety and wellbeing. When we protect the most marginalised, we strengthen protections for everyone.
Rejecting false binaries
"We strongly reject the framing that positions the rights of trans and gender diverse people as being in conflict with the rights of cisgender women," Ms McMahon said.
"In our experience, these protections are complementary. Dismantling discrimination for those most at risk strengthens the culture of equity that benefits all women and all communities."
Research consistently shows that trans and gender diverse people experience disproportionately high rates of discrimination, violence and exclusion from health, education and employment. Removing legal protections would deepen existing inequities and increase harm.
Regional impact
Southern Melbourne's diverse communities rely on the protections currently enshrined in the Sex Discrimination Act. Whether cisgender or trans, from migrant and refugee backgrounds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, or facing intersecting forms of disadvantage—people across our region depend on these safeguards to access education, work, healthcare and community participation without discrimination.
Weakening this legislative framework would create barriers, increase risk of violence, and undermine the health and wellbeing outcomes we've worked collectively to build.
A call for continued leadership
WHISE commends parliamentarians who voted against this Bill at first reading and urges all members to reject it in its entirety.
"Our anti-discrimination protections are hard-won and essential," Ms McMahon said.
"We call on communities, partners and all who are committed to equity and justice to stand together in defence of these protections. This is not the time to wind back progress—it is the time to recommit to the principle that everyone has the right to live free from discrimination."
WHISE remains available to brief local leaders and stakeholders on the evidence and community impact of this proposed legislation and together we can advance equity so that everyone is safe, healthy and thriving.
About us:
Women's Health in the South East (WHISE) is a leading organisation dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of women in the south eastern region. With a focus on promoting gender equity, WHISE advocates for women's rights, acess to healthcare services, and leads initiatives to address gender-based violence and gender inequality. By collaborating with stakeholders, WHISE strives to create positive change and ensure every woman has access to comprehensive, inclusive, and high-quality care.
