Wednesday, 29 October 2025

 Bev McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (09:47): It was an honour to share a panel discussion recently in Melbourne with my colleague in this place Mr Limbrick and with our guest of honour Dr Helen Joyce, the famous British gender-critical activist, Cambridge and University of London academic, mathematician, journalist, former finance and international editor of the Economist and author of the Sunday Times bestseller Trans: When Ideology Meets Reality. Helen has led the way in exposing the nonsense that men can be women and the dangerous and untested practice of medically and surgically transitioning children who may or may not be experiencing gender dysphoria. The outrageous aspect of the Women’s Voices Australia event was that hours before the meeting, scheduled to be held at the State Library venue, someone at Melbourne City Council cancelled the booking. Fortunately another location was quickly provided. But what an insult to an overseas expert advocate and how outrageous that cancelling legitimate conversation has become synonymous with this city, this state and those on the left who label and cancel anyone not singing from their hymn book. However, over 150 women from across the political spectrum, including Labor, Greens, Libertarians and more, welcomed Dr Joyce and enthusiastically engaged in the panel discussion, all present totally committed to ensuring women and girls have safe places in prisons, sport, toilets et cetera.