Sex Discrimination Amendment (Restoring Biological Definitions) Bill 2025

The majority voted against a motion "That this bill may proceed without formalities and be now read a first time." In other words, they voted against considering this bill and so it has failed.

It is unusual for bills to fail at the first reading stage. When explaining their decision to vote against a first reading, the Greens and Labor Parties both reported that they did not want to create a platform in parliament for discriminatory language that could negatively impact already marginalised young Australians. When explaining their decision to vote in favour of a first reading, the Liberal Party reported that they did so to uphold ordinary procedure.

What does this bill do?

According to the bill homepage, the purpose of this bill was to amend the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 to remove references to ‘gender identity’ and insert definitions of ‘man’ and ‘woman’. The effect would be to remove anti-discrimination protections from trans, gender diverse and intersex people.