State parliament’s rules of procedure to replace he, she, him and her with language neutral of gender and sexual identity

Moves to axe gender-specific terms from state parliament have outraged some MPs with claims of “wokeism” – but others have welcomed the move. Vote in our poll.

Gender-specific terms including he, she, him and her will be removed from state parliament's rules of procedure, affecting Premier Peter Malinauskas and other MPs, the Governor and even King Charles.

It follows recommendations by a parliamentary committee to switch to language that is neutral of gender and sexual identity.

The changes, which have been adopted after a review of the Lower House standing orders, will replace gendered pronouns with they, their and them.

The terms “Her Majesty” referring to the monarch and “His Excellency” referring to the governor, both now outdated under King Charles and Governor Frances Adamson, will also be made gender-neutral.

The King will be referred to in parliamentary standing order as “the sovereign”. Picture: Yui Mok/POOL/AFP

“Her Majesty” will be replaced with “the sovereign” and “His Excellency” will instead become “the governor”.

When referring to the leader of parliamentary committees, the term “chairman” will be replaced with “chair”.

The government and opposition both supported the changes, which are in line with the federal government’s content guidelines regarding gender and sexual diversity.

South Australian Governor Frances Adamson … the term “His Excellency” will change to “the governor” rather than ‘Her Excellency’. Picture: Tom Huntley

But the move has drawn criticism from members of the Upper House crossbench.

“Wokeism has even penetrated the workings of parliament,” SA-Best MLC Frank Pangallo said.

“I don’t think (gendered pronouns) caused any harm or offence in our community. I think this is sort of the left elements in politics that are exerting themselves.”

Mr Pangallo said the parliament should be focused on other issues, like the health crisis and child protection system.

“Verbs not pronouns should be parliament’s priority,” he said.

“This is much ado about nothing, quite frankly.”

SA-Best MLC Frank Pangallo is concerned that “wokeism has even penetrated the workings of parliament”. Picture NCA NewsWire/Emma Brasier

One Nation MLC Sarah Game said “at the first instance, I feel that to remove him/her/he/she is ridiculous”.

Greens MLC Robert Simms was supportive of the changes, adding they were in line with modern workplace standards and that parliament was “capable of walking and chewing gum at the same time”.

Other recommendations that have been adopted include allowing electronic attendance at committee meetings in certain circumstances, changes to maternity leave arrangements, changes to the deadlines for questions on notice and removal of redundant standing orders.

The amendments, which only apply to the Lower House, will be formally approved by Governor Adamson, then implemented in parliament.

A government spokesman said the language change was adopted with cross-party support “amid a more substantial push to modernise the parliamentary workplace”.

“The changes include important reforms to allow maternity leave, breastfeeding infants in the chamber and committees to meet electronically,” he said.

“With record numbers of Labor women elected to the parliament, it makes no sense for them to be called ‘chairman’ when overseeing a committee.”

Opposition spokeswoman Michelle Lensink said the Liberals also supported the changes.

“It’s important the parliament continues to represent all South Australians by reflecting community expectations and the simplifying and updating of references now brings us in line with other jurisdictions across the country,” she said.

Originally published as State parliament’s rules of procedure to replace he, she, him and her with language neutral of gender and sexual identity