Take note of complications

GENDER REFORMS

BRONWYN Williams’s considered and logical article raises serious concerns about the complications arising from the new Marriage Act amendments passed by the House of Assembly (“Careful scrutiny needed before radical reforms,” Talking Point, November 22). It suggests that the maxim, extreme circumstances make poor law, may be in the minds of the members of the Legislative Council as they review the new reforms. they seem to have captured the media’s attention, far more important issues for families are being totally neglected. To assert, as the Speaker is now doing, that those who object to this issue being given such prominence are Right-wing Christians, shows how out of touch she really is.

Facts and feelings

LET’S hope our Legislative Councillors are more discerning than Sue Hickey was when she fell for the spurious arguments for amendments on birth certificates. While transgender people and those experiencing gender dysphoria deserve our thoughtful consideration, these amendments pander to false assumptions: that facts don’t count if they conflict with feelings, that the wishes of a tiny minority have priority regardless of broader consequences and that it is OK to have incomplete official records. And it is wrong of Ms Hickey to portray mainstream Christians, who made this country what it is and still comprise the majority of our population, as radical Right-wing extremists.

Different forms

AFTER the effort and cost involved in creating the legislative changes and ongoing administrative burden in relation to birth certificates for people identifying as transgender, I was surprised to see that in the 2016 Census, 1260 identified as transgender. This is about 0.0054 per cent of the population. The ABS acknowledges not everyone may choose to be identified, but Action call on population shift as Tasmania’s growth picks up pace The target number of 650,000 is hardly a bad thing. In fact it really should be more like approaching the 800,000 to 1 million point. With such growth there will be a desire for more private investment, better resourcing of public services and a place on the Australian map. if 10 per cent did so, this would mean a Tasmanian transgender population of 40 to 400. Given the size of this population, and potential for discrimination affecting the wider population based on age, ethnicity, place of birth, etc, the issue could have been resolved by regulation.

An official form could be issued confirming an individual is an Australian born in Tasmania. A person would specify how much detail is to be included. As I understand current legislation, gender and other information will be retained by government, so a regulatory change would not only address discrimination for the transgender population, but the wider population. A more comprehensive form will be needed for a passport. A person could hold a range of forms to meet individual needs.

Nonsense

THE nonsense over gender reform is nothing more than a storm in a teacup. Hopefully it will cease so government can deal with more important outstanding issues.

Won the battle

SO, Sue Hickey crosses the floor of parliament to vote with Labor and the Greens to introduce genderless birth certificates to appease a few whilst off-siding the vast majority of the population. This has once again made Tasmania the laughing stock of Australia. You’ve won a battle, but you are surely doomed to lose the war.

Butt off

WITH so many smokers showing no regard in respect to disposal of their cigarette butts perhaps the best solution would be to remove them at the manufacturer’s end. This would aid in protecting the environment and could act as a deterrent to people wishing to smoke. With straws becoming a thing of the past, why not put butts on the list.

Keating model a goer

READER Judith Knowles urges caution in changing from a constitutional monarchy to a republic (Letters, November 21). She asks what will we replace it with. I suggest that Paul Keating’s model was the safest with a suitable set of checks and balances. An elected presidency guarantees an office for only the wealthy but not the wisest. Think the USA.

Extra billions for solar and wind

SOLAR and wind are cheap provided one doesn’t factor in the many, many billions needed to make it useful, that is, reliable, the many billions in lost investment (we have only a limited amount of wealth available) and the additional cost of caring for the increase in unemployed workers.

Quick water answer

IN response to TasWater, thank you for your quick attention to my query (Letters, November 23). Water rates all resolved, many thanks.