By Rachael Wong
South Australians, before you go to the polls this weekend, here are five things you need to know.
1. Male offenders who identify as women are being housed in women's prisons, and despite horrific cases of sexual assault against female inmates in the state, the Labor Government has taken no meaningful action with Premier Peter Malinauskas dismissing women's safety as a "niche issue".
2. In schools, girls are being forced to sacrifice their privacy, safety, and fairness, with boys who identify as girls being allowed to use girls' toilets and change rooms and compete in female sporting events, with one male student already having broken multiple girls' school sporting records. Zoe Jones, the mother of the brave student, Ava, who spoke out about her uncomfortable experience of being forced to share girls' bathrooms with male students is so fed up she is running for politics herself as a One Nation candidate.
3. Children as young as THREE years old have been referred to gender clinics in South Australia, but when Frank Pangallo called for an inquiry into the treatment of children and young people with gender dysphoria, the motion didn't even go to a vote - blocked by Labor, the Greens and Liberal MP Michelle Lensink.
4. Deputy Premier and Attorney General Kyam Maher has indicated his support for liberalising the state's prostitution laws, which will further entrench the sexual exploitation and commodification of women. And when Liberal MP Nicola Centofanti introduced bills to reduce demand and help women exit the industry, he voted them down along with the majority of Labor and the Greens.
5. Attempts by Liberal Ben Hood and Independent Sarah Game to introduce even modest protections for mothers and children against late term abortion also failed with Labor and the Greens again forming the majority against them. Though it's worth noting that Labor MP Clare Scriven consistently broke ranks to support protections for women and children, in relation to both abortion and prostitution.
So when you walk into that polling booth on Saturday, look at who has stood for what and vote for those who will take a stand for truth, common sense, and the safety of women and children.
Rachael Wong is the CEO of Women's Forum Australia
Women’s Forum Australia is an independent think tank that undertakes research, education and public policy advocacy on issues affecting women and girls, with a particular focus on addressing behaviours and practices that are harmful and abusive to them. We are a non-partisan, non-religious, tax-deductible charity. We do not receive any government funding and rely solely on donations to make an impact. Support our work today.
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