New Zealand populist party introduce bill to define men and women by biology
New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters said laws should reflect biological reality. (AP: Mark Tantrum/File)
In short:
A populist New Zealand minority coalition party has introduced a bill to define women and men by biology.
It comes a week after British High Court ruled only biological women met the definition under equality laws.
What's next?
The bill is unlikely to become law as it has to be selected at random from a ballot and then garner majority support in parliament.
New Zealand's populist party has introduced a bill to parliament to define women and men by their biology, preventing trans people from being recognised by law.
The move by minority coalition partner, New Zealand First, comes less than a week after Britain's highest court ruled only biological and not trans women meet the definition of a woman under equality laws.
The New Zealand bill is a long shot to become law, as it has to be selected at random from a ballot and then garner majority support in parliament.
New Zealand First Leader and Deputy Prime Minister, Winston Peters said in a statement that laws should reflect biological reality and provide legal certainty.
"The need for legislation like this shows how far the deluded left has taken us as a society. But we are fighting back," Mr Peters said.
Labour Opposition Leader Chris Hipkins said the gender bill was not a priority for New Zealand. (RNZ: Reece Baker)
New Zealand Opposition Leader Chris Hipkins told Stuff news the gender bill was "typical populist politics" and at a time when New Zealanders are struggling with the cost of living, job losses and a health system in crisis, it was not a priority.
The legislation the bill intends to amend sets out how terms and words commonly used in other legislation should be interpreted, such as "de facto partner".
UK landmark decision
It followed the UK landmark decision, which was greeted with concern by trans supporters but welcomed by the government as bringing clarity.
The British ruling centred on whether a trans woman with a gender recognition certificate (GRC), a formal document giving legal recognition of someone's new gender, is protected from discrimination as a woman under Britain's Equality Act.
Transgender rights have become a highly political issue in many countries, with some critics saying the conservative right has weaponised identity politics to attack minority groups. In contrast, others argue that liberal support for transgender people has infringed on the rights of biological women.
In the United States, legal challenges are underway after President Donald Trump issued executive orders that include barring transgender people from military service.
Reuters