New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister Winston Raymond Peters introduced a bill to parliament to define people’s gender according to their biology.
This, in effect, prevents trans people from being recognised under the law.
It’s a move New Zealand First leader Peters says is a swing “back towards common sense,” whilst ensuring laws reflect “biological reality.”
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The gender definitions bill is highly unlikely to turn into legislation, given it needs to be selected at random from a ballot and then receive majority support in Parliament.
It has also been slammed by the country’s opposition leader as a “typical populist policy.”
The proposed law comes less than a week after the UK Supreme Court unanimously found the legal definition of a woman does not include transgender women and refers only to a biological woman.
The UK government said the ruling brought “clarity” and “confidence” for women and those who run hospitals, sports clubs and women’s refuges.
Meanwhile, transgender advocates warned it could have far-reaching effects and stop trans people from accessing essential services and spaces.
Legal experts were quick to point out this wasn’t exactly a landmark case with immediate legal implications down under.
It was to do with a specific bit of legislation and specific argument brought forward and that’s why it won.
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