Media release – Equality Tasmania, 4 September 2020
Advocates have invited Senator Claire Chandler to meet young transgender Tasmanians and their families to help her understand their lives and the impact of discrimination.
The invitation comes as Senator Chandler claimed in Parliament that her free speech is under attack following a complaint under Tasmania’s Anti-Discrimination Act against her views on transgender people in sport.
Equality Tasmania spokesperson, Charlie Burton, said,
“We want Senator Chandler to hear what life is really like for Tasmania’s trans and gender diverse young people and their families, including their desire to be accepted just like everyone else, and how negative stereotypes and misinformation can cause deep harm.”
“That’s why we have invited Senator Chandler to meet and hear from these young Tasmanians and their families.”
On the issue of free speech Dr Burton said,
“With every right, including free speech, comes a responsibility not to exercise that right in a way that harms others.”
“We are pleased Tasmania has a strong independent umpire, like the Anti-Discrimination Commission, to judge where the balance should lie.”
“Tasmania’s law against humiliating and intimidating language has been upheld by State Parliament twice which indicates it has widespread community support.”
“The Australian High Court has found free speech has to be balanced with other rights, and the Tasmanian Supreme Court has found that our state law against intimidating and humiliating language does not violate free speech.”
TT invited Senator Chandler to respond. Rather than provide a full statement her office sent the communication as below.
Statement – Senator Claire Chandler,4 September 2020
Please see the Hansard transcript of the address here: https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Hansard/Hansard_Display?bid=chamber/hansards/e3f361cf-5cfc-4871-b336-c604170c9216/&sid=0265
Video of the speech can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnCa-bQuA9o
Tasmanian Times then asked:
Will Senator Chandler accept the invitation from Equality to meet with transgender Tasmanians and their families?
Her office did not respond.
