What was debated in Parliament
Summarised using AI from the official Hansard transcript of the debate only. It is not a record of the debate and may leave things out. Read the Hansard below to check it.
This Greens bill, introduced by Senator Nick McKim, would create a new commissioner at the Australian Human Rights Commission for sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics. It would also replace the term 'intersex status' in the law with 'innate variations of sex characteristics'. The transcript covers only its introduction and the start of the second reading speech.
Arguments made in support
Senator McKim said these are the only protected attributes in the main federal anti-discrimination laws without their own commissioner.
He said the bill would treat LGBTIQA+ people the same as other groups with protected attributes.
He said the wording change follows a 2017 statement by intersex organisations and matches changes in several states and territories.
10 speeches by 2 members in the Senate over 1 sitting day.
Hansard: Senate, 30 June 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Australia's Voice
0 Yes
0 No
1–
The last column counts members who did not vote. Party counts are for current members.
2 votes were cast by people who have since left Parliament.