Transgender tussle brews

Greens seek support from new MP

THE Greens have called on new independent MP Madeleine Ogilvie to leave Tasmania’s transgender reforms alone amid indications the State Government might revisit the controversial laws.

Ms Ogilvie, a former Labor MP, is a Catholic and is known to have conservative social views.

The legislation, which came into effect this month, allowed Tasmanians to alter the gender on their birth certificates or remove it entirely. AttorneyGeneral Elise Archer said it was “highly likely” the Government would ask parliament to repeal the laws that rogue Liberal Speaker Sue Hickey joined with the Greens and Labor to pass in April.

Greens leader Cassy O’Connor said the party had not yet spoken to Ms Ogilvie about the issue since she took her place in parliament.

Ms O’Connor said the new laws had already transformed the lives of many transgender and non-binary Tasmanians.

“We hope that, as a legal professional, human rights advocate and someone who recognised MPs have a duty of care to our constituents, Ms Ogilvie will respect the will of the majority of both houses of the parliament and leave these reforms be,’’ she said.

Ms Ogilvie, elected this week as the member for Clark on a recount triggered by the resignation of Labor MP Scott Bacon, was contacted for comment yesterday but did not respond. Earlier this week, she spoke about her approach to legislation.

“My process will be to review every Bill, to read it myself – I’ve actually drafted Bills, I’ve got those skills – read it carefully, if there are things that I think need to be fixed or amended, I will put those suggestions forward,’’ she said.

Ms Archer said Labor and the Greens had not properly consulted with all Tasmanians on the proposed reforms.

“Because of the refusal by Labor and the Greens to consider the legal consequences of their amendments, it is highly likely the parliament will need to fix up problems with the legislation and repeal LaborGreen amendments at a later date,’’ she said.

Feminist group Women Speak Tasmania is a critic of the reforms and spokeswoman Isla MacGregor said she had written to Ms Ogilvie to outline the group’s concerns.

Transgender advocates called on the Government and Ms Ogilvie to consult with transgender and gender diverse people who had benefited from the laws. “I urge parliamentarians to give our new laws a chance,’’ Transforming Tasmania spokesperson Martine Delaney said.