(Australian Capital Territory, that is!)
I got this email from one of my local MLAs yesterday:
"Dear [Redacted],
Getting a tattoo is a big deal. It's permanent.
It’s one of those decisions that both parents and policymakers acknowledge that underage Canberrans should not make on their own. That’s why there is a law that says if you are under 18, you need the consent of your guardian. The adult that is looking out for you.
Sounds reasonable right?
Well, let’s consider the new law just passed by ACT Labor and the Greens, the majority power holders in the ACT Parliament.
From now on, your 12-year-old son or daughter can apply to erase their birth sex on their birth certificate and replace it with whatever gender they decide.
Without your knowledge or consent.
I think that’s a pretty big deal too.
It's permanent.
It’s one of those decisions that should absolutely involve parents.
Unbelievable. Unreasonable. Completely out of touch.
After almost 7000 days in government and with only 17 hours of parliamentary sitting time remaining before the ACT election, this is the kind of law that the Barr Government are treating as a priority right now.
At a time when we need strong families, they are dividing them. When we need governments and policymakers focussed on jobs and the economy, they are focussed on ideology.
It’s not about the needs of Canberra families and hasn’t been for a long time.
The election is now fast approaching, I hope I can count on your support.
Your local Member,
Andrew Wall MLA "
(This seems to have been slipped through while everyone's attention was elsewhere. Thoughts, everyone?)