Fact check: Former Prime Minister Julia Gillard removed the definition of “woman” from Australia’s Sex Discrimination Act and added “gender identity”, paving the way for men to become women legally.

1. Summary of the results

The core claim is factually accurate - in 2013, the Gillard government did remove the definition of "woman" (previously defined as "a member of the female sex irrespective of age") from Australia's Sex Discrimination Act and added protections for gender identity ^{[1] [2]}. This legislative change made it unlawful to discriminate based on gender identity, intersex status, or sexual orientation, in addition to sex ^[2].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several important contextual elements are missing from the original statement:

• Current Perspective: Julia Gillard currently advocates for "love, inclusion and respect" for individuals who believe they are "trapped in the wrong body" ^[3], providing context for the motivations behind the legislative change.
• Broader Impact: The amendment affected multiple areas:
• Faith-based institutions' ability to maintain their ethos ^[4]
• Access to women-only spaces and sports ^[5]
• Legal protections based on biological sex ^[5]
• Legal Framework: The change wasn't just about removing one definition - it was part of a broader expansion of anti-discrimination protections to include gender identity, intersex status, and sexual orientation ^[2].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement presents a simplified cause-and-effect relationship that doesn't capture the complexity of the issue. Different groups frame this change according to their interests:

• Women's Rights Advocates: Some argue this change has undermined women's rights and created legal pathways for biological males to access women-only spaces ^[1]. Katherine Deves, an Australian lawyer, presents it as accommodating "demands of men who want to be women" ^[2].
• Gender Identity Advocates: The change represents progress toward protecting transgender and intersex individuals from discrimination, with Gillard herself supporting inclusion and respect ^[3].
• Religious Organizations: Some express concerns about the impact on faith-based institutions' autonomy ^[4].

The statement's framing suggests a negative outcome ("paving the way for men to become women legally"), which reflects one particular viewpoint in what is actually a complex social and legal debate about gender identity, women's rights, and anti-discrimination protections.