Gutwein, Libs slam trans-ban sport Bill

The Tasmanian Premier has condemned a Bill put forward by his federal colleagues and endorsed by the Prime Minister that seeks to exclude transgender women from female-only sports.

Premier Peter Gutwein Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Tasmanian Liberal Premier Peter Gutwein has condemned a Bill put forward by his federal colleagues and endorsed by the Prime Minister that seeks to exclude transgender women from female-only sports.

Mr Gutwein was joined by moderates in the Coalition who also raised concern with The Australian over the “unnecessary” Bill.

“I think we have an inclusive society and I think the way that we manage sport in Tasmania is a reflection of that society,” Mr Gutwein said. “I don’t believe there’s any need for this Bill ... (What) I wouldn’t want to see is any weakening whatsoever of our anti-discrimination legislation.”

The “save women’s sport” Bill was introduced by Liberal Tasmanian senator Claire Chandler earlier in February to “clarify” the Sex Discrimination Act and make it clear that sports clubs disallowing transgender women from competing in female sport were not in breach of the law.

Scott Morrison on Tuesday backed Senator Chandler and said the Bill was “terrific”.

“Claire is a champion for women’s sport and I think she has been right to raise these issues in the way that she has,” he said.

But numerous Liberal MPs distanced themselves from the Prime Minister’s comments and said it would be “crazy” for the government to legislate such a Bill.

“Sporting codes are dealing with this every day, and they’re managing it well,” said an MP who did not wish to be named.

“It’s crazy to want the government to step in to do what those sporting bodies already do.”

It follows backlash from advocates such as Equality Australia which pointed out the Sex Discrimination Act currently allowed people to be excluded from competing in sport based on their sex, gender identity or intersex state “where the strength, stamina or physique of competitors is relevant”.

The Australian understands numerous parliamentarians were contacted by Equality Australia to raise the point that the act already did what Senator Chandler’s Bill proposed.

Liberal MP Dave Sharma said he did not “see the need for this Bill”.

“All the evidence in Australia suggests the major sporting codes already have in place policies to manage this issue effectively within current legal frameworks,” he said.

Fellow moderate Andrew Bragg also distanced himself from the Bill, which he said could potentially “import another culture war”. “A mark of a society is how it treats minorities,” he said.

“It’s divisive and wrong to target minorities which deserve protection not persecution.”

It comes as debate over transgender women competing in professional sport was reignited after transgender female swimmer Lia Thomas broke numerous records during an Ivy League Championship swimming event at Harvard University last week.

The Greens slammed the government’s move to “exclude” transgender people from competing in sport.

“The Prime Minister has an anti-trans agenda … even members of his own party realise that this divisive bigotry is completely out of step with the majority of Australians,” Victorian Greens senator Janet Rice said.