Nationals MP Advances Proposal to Define Sex in Law by Biological Criteria

Member for Lyne Alison Penfold (L) speaks to Member for Canning Andrew Hastie (R) at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on Feb. 4, 2026. Hilary Wardhaugh/Getty ImagesClear gender definitions and protections for women-only spaces are back in federal parliament, with Nationals MP Alison Penfold introducing legislation to amend the Sex Discrimination Act.The proposed amendment, introduced on May 25, seeks to define “man” and “woman” based on biological sex and strengthen legal protections for women-only spaces, services, and activities.