Peter Dutton Rejects Calls From MPs For Australia to Follow Trump鈥檚 Anti-Trans ‘Two Sexes’ Policy
Image: Photo: AAP Image/Diego Fedele
Opposition leader Peter Dutton has from Nationals MPs for Australia to follow President Donald Trump鈥檚 lead in announcing a new federal government definition of sex and gender.
Earlier this week, Trump delivered an executive order stating that only ‘male’ and ‘female’ sexes are recognised by the US Government, that in the eyes of the government people cannot change their gender, and that a person’s gender is determined by someone’s reproductive cells at the ‘time of conception’ ().
on Thursday, Littleproud argued that trans women were a threat to women鈥檚 sports and called for a 鈥渞espectful鈥� discussion, saying society needed to respect the 鈥�鈥� of sex.
鈥淚 think there’s elements of this [Trump鈥檚 executive order] that that come to the core principle of protecting women,鈥� he said. 鈥淧articularly in things like sport. I think women should be competing against other women.鈥�
鈥淎nd I think we just we just need to take a deep breath on this. It doesn’t need to get emotional. We just need to understand that it also comes back to respect 鈥� respecting that biological basis that we can’t get away from when we’re born, and making sure that women in particular 鈥� their rights are protected. And I think we can do that in a sensible way without vitriol, without upsetting anyone but just respecting the fact that there are some changes that I think in our society that we probably need to lean into.鈥�
Earlier this week, Nationals politicians Matt Canavan and Barnaby Joyce have come out in support of Trump鈥檚 order, and have called on Dutton to support Trump鈥檚 gender policy.聽
Peter Dutton says ‘no plans’ to change Australia’s current position
However, Dutton quickly shut down the idea during a press conference by stating 鈥淎ustralia is a sovereign nation, and as prime minister, I鈥檒l act in our country鈥檚 best interests. We don’t have any plans to change our position in relation to that issue.”
When asked about Trump鈥檚 executive order on gender, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allen replied 鈥淩eally?! I’ll say this in a broad sense. We are seeing too much US-style division coming to our country, and it’s the responsibility of leaders to call it out and not respond to it and stand up for their communities.鈥�
In the same interview, Federal Minister for Infrastructure Catherine King stated 鈥淚 think everyone has had enough of division, enough of people feeding and trying to engender hatred whether it be antisemitism or on issues around gender equality.鈥�
Politicians divided on sport Q but uninterested in wider trans debate
Speaking to , Shadow Infrastructure and Transport Minister Bridget McKenzie reiterated her position that 鈥淚 do believe particularly when it comes to women’s sport that women should be competing against women鈥� but confirmed that 鈥渨hilst having an inclusive society is something that the Coalition obviously wants to see going forward, we have no plans to legislate around genders.鈥�
On Liberal senator Jane Hume also downplayed the debate, stating, 鈥淭here is no Coalition position to take the same route as Donald Trump. This is not at the top of our agenda.鈥�
Previous Coalition attempts to stir trans debate have faltered
The Coalition had previously tried to run on an anti-trans platform when Katherine Deves campaigned against Zali Steggall in the seat of Warringah.聽
However, Deves鈥� campaign was widely criticised as being out of touch, and Steggall safety retained the seat.
鈥淭here鈥檚 no issue in women鈥檚 sport,鈥� Steggall, a former Olympian, told . 鈥淭hey [official sporting bodies] have policies to ensure inclusive opportunity in sport when it comes to a community level, and fair participation in sport when it comes to an elite level.鈥�
鈥淚 think it is incumbent on Peter Dutton to be very clear about how much of Trumpian politics he wants to import into Australia.鈥�
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Hopefully, Dutton won’t be PM after the next election. But let’s not forget that Turnbull’s predecessor promised, “No cuts to the ABC or SBS. No changes to pensions,” and he reneged at his first budget. And that Dutton views him as “a first-class leader, a first-class thinker, and one of the most intelligent people we know,” and was a staunch ally of his, so don’t trust him.
Interesting revelation of Dutton’s narrow views. this is a warning to the LGBTIQ community not to vote for this person. I noticed the Village people supported Trump. Where they also against Trans people? What a mess the USA is in.
I don’t want any Trump policies in Australia. We are fine without the influence from America. It’s becoming too ingrained in our Social media and news broadcasters are inviting debate on American politics with our politicians. Enough, this is a slippery slope. I don’t think we need to guess how crazy America will become in the next 4 years. Let people focus on what is important in our own country. Cost of living, job security, available and affordable housing , creating employment opportunities. Building stronger communities.