Australian News Archive

The ACT Assembly has passed legislation introduced by Andrew Barr, Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory, to protect the human rights of people with innate variations of sex characteristics in medical settings.

The Variation in Sex Characteristics (Restricted Medical Treatment) Bill 2023 will implement mechanisms to regulate non-urgent medical care to encourage child participation in medical decisions, establish groundbreaking oversight mechanisms and provide transparency on medical practices and decision-making.

“There’s a lot to celebrate. There will never be another time where a jurisdiction is the first in Australia to pass laws that protect intersex children. It brings me immense joy and peace to know that it happened in my home town Canberra. This is the moment where positive change has been demonstrated, and our challenge to other states and territories is clear. This can be done; when will  you step up, in turn, to protect children against harm and trauma?”

Cody Smith, Training and Communication Officer — Intersex Human Rights Australia

Cody Smith says the legislation will "change the narrative" for future generations of intersex children. For advocates like Cody Smith, who was born intersex, being present in the chamber to see the legislation pass was a bitter-sweet moment.

"There's no changing what's happened to me but what we get to do is change the narrative for the next generation of intersex children." 

MEDIA RELEASE: Australian first Bill to protect the rights and choices of people with variations in sex characteristics passes

ACT Government Media Release 08/06/2023

In recent months in Australia, we have seen vigilante racism in Rockhampton, booing, abuse and vitriol directed at First Nations footy players, and the appalling treatment of First Nations children jailed in adult prisons. Racism is a major issue in the debate over the proposed First Nations Voice to Parliament – and it will likely only continue to get worse.

Canberra Metro operations celebrate diversity and pride in Canberra. CMET, in collaboration with Transport Canberra, has launched a ‘Ride with Pride’ campaign that highlights the Rainbow Flag, a symbol that represents the diversity of the LGBTIQ+, and the Progress Pride Flag, which extends diversity representation further through people of colour and the transgender,gender-diverse community.

The Drag Queen Storytime fro kids, which was scheduled to take place on 18 May as part of The International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) has been cancelled by the Monash Council. The organisers saying they were left with no choice after repeated threats aimed at harming the performer and families intending to attend the event.

Barry Humphries, controversial Australian icon and creator of the outrageous Dame Edna, has died aged 89 at St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney.  He was being treated for complications stemming from hip surgery earlier this year.

An Australian first has occurred in Canberra!  In an emotional speech on Wednesday 22 March Andrew Barr, the Chief Minister of the ACT introduced legislation into the Legislative Assembly to protect the medical rights of intersex Canberrans making the ACT the first Australian jurisdiction to legalise such important protections.