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SEX DISCRIMINATION AMENDMENT (SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY AND INTERSEX STATUS) BILL 2013

 

 

2010-2011-2012-2013 

 

The Parliament of the 

Commonwealth of Australia 

 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

 

 

 

 

Presented and read a first time 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sex Discrimination Amendment (Sexual 

Orientation, Gender Identity and 

Intersex Status) Bill 2013 

 

No.      , 2013 

 

(Attorney-General) 

 

 

 

A Bill for an Act to amend the Sex Discrimination 

Act 1984, and for related purposes 

   

   

 

 

i       Sex Discrimination Amendment (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Intersex Status) 

Bill 2013       No.      , 2013 

Contents 

Short title ........................................................................................... 1

 

Commencement ................................................................................. 1

 

Schedule(s) ........................................................................................ 2

 

Schedule 1--Amendments

 

3

 

Part 1--Amendment of the Sex Discrimination Act 1984

 

3

 

Sex Discrimination Act 1984

 

3

 

Part 2--Amendments of other Acts

 

13

 

Migration Act 1958

 

13

 

Part 3--Application of amendments

 

14

 

 

 

 

Sex Discrimination Amendment (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Intersex Status) Bill 

2013       No.      , 2013       1 

A Bill for an Act to amend the Sex Discrimination 

Act 1984, and for related purposes 

The Parliament of Australia enacts: 

1  Short title 

 

  This Act may be cited as the Sex Discrimination Amendment 

(Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Intersex Status) Act 2013

2  Commencement 

 

(1)  Each provision of this Act specified in column 1 of the table 

commences, or is taken to have commenced, in accordance with 

column 2 of the table. Any other statement in column 2 has effect 

10 

according to its terms. 

11 

 

12 

   

   

 

 

2            Sex Discrimination Amendment (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Intersex Status) 

Bill 2013       No.      , 2013 

Commencement information 

Column 1 

Column 2 

Column 3 

Provision(s) 

Commencement 

Date/Details 

1.  Sections 1 to 3 

and anything in 

this Act not 

elsewhere covered 

by this table 

The day this Act receives the Royal Assent. 

 

2.  Schedule 1 

A single day to be fixed by Proclamation. 

However, if the provision(s) do not 

commence within the period of 6 months 

beginning on the day this Act receives the 

Royal Assent, they commence on the day 

after the end of that period. 

 

Note:  

This table relates only to the provisions of this Act as originally 

enacted. It will not be amended to deal with any later amendments of 

this Act. 

 

(2)  Any information in column 3 of the table is not part of this Act. 

Information may be inserted in this column, or information in it 

may be edited, in any published version of this Act. 

3  Schedule(s) 

 

  Each Act that is specified in a Schedule to this Act is amended or 

repealed as set out in the applicable items in the Schedule 

concerned, and any other item in a Schedule to this Act has effect 

10 

according to its terms. 

11 

Amendments  Schedule 1 

Amendment of the Sex Discrimination Act 1984  Part 1 

 

 

Sex Discrimination Amendment (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Intersex Status) Bill 

2013       No.      , 2013            3 

Schedule 1

--

Amendments 

Part 1

--

Amendment of the Sex Discrimination Act 

1984 

Sex Discrimination Act 1984 

1  Title 

Omit "marital status", substitute "sexual orientation, gender identity, 

intersex status, marital or relationship status". 

2  Preamble 

Omit "marital status" (wherever occurring), substitute "sexual 

orientation, gender identity, intersex status, marital or relationship 

10 

status". 

11 

3  Paragraph 3(b) 

12 

Omit "marital status", substitute "sexual orientation, gender identity, 

13 

intersex status, marital or relationship status". 

14 

4  Subsection 4(1) 

15 

Insert: 

16 

de facto partner has the meaning given by the Acts Interpretation 

17 

Act 1901

18 

5  Subsection 4(1) (definition of de facto spouse

19 

Repeal the definition. 

20 

6  Subsection 4(1) 

21 

Insert: 

22 

gender identity means the gender-related identity, appearance or 

23 

mannerisms or other gender-related characteristics of a person 

24 

(whether by way of medical intervention or not), with or without 

25 

regard to the person's designated sex at birth. 

26 

7  Subsection 4(1) 

27 

Insert: 

28 

Schedule 1  Amendments 

Part 1  Amendment of the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 

 

 

4            Sex Discrimination Amendment (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Intersex Status) 

Bill 2013       No.      , 2013 

intersex status means the status of having physical, hormonal or 

genetic features that are: 

 

(a)  neither wholly female nor wholly male; or 

 

(b)  a combination of female and male; or 

 

(c)  neither female nor male. 

8  Subsection 4(1) (definition of man

Repeal the definition. 

9  Subsection 4(1) 

Insert: 

marital or relationship status means a person's status of being any 

10 

of the following: 

11 

 

(a)  single; 

12 

 

(b)  married; 

13 

 

(c)  married, but living separately and apart from his or her 

14 

spouse; 

15 

 

(d)  divorced; 

16 

 

(e)  the de facto partner of another person; 

17 

 

(f)  the de facto partner of another person, but living separately 

18 

and apart from that other person; 

19 

 

(g)  the former de facto partner of another person; 

20 

 

(h)  the surviving spouse or de facto partner of a person who has 

21 

died. 

22 

10  Subsection 4(1) (definition of marital status

23 

Repeal the definition. 

24 

11  Subsection 4(1) (paragraph (b) of the definition of near 

25 

relative

26 

Omit "de facto spouse", substitute "de facto partner". 

27 

12  Subsection 4(1) 

28 

Insert: 

29 

sexual orientation means a person's sexual orientation towards: 

30 

 

(a)  persons of the same sex; or 

31 

 

(b)  persons of a different sex; or 

32 

Amendments  Schedule 1 

Amendment of the Sex Discrimination Act 1984  Part 1 

 

 

Sex Discrimination Amendment (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Intersex Status) Bill 

2013       No.      , 2013            5 

 

(c)  persons of the same sex and persons of a different sex. 

13  Subsection 4(1) 

Insert: 

surviving spouse or de facto partner of a person who has died 

means a person who was the person's spouse or de facto partner 

immediately before the person died. 

14  Subsection 4(1) (definition of woman

Repeal the definition. 

15  Subsection 4A(2) (definition of de facto partner

Repeal the definition. 

10 

16  Subsection 5(1) 

11 

Omit "the opposite sex", substitute "a different sex". 

12 

17  After section 5 

13 

Insert: 

14 

5A  Discrimination on the ground of sexual orientation 

15 

 

(1)  For the purposes of this Act, a person (the discriminator

16 

discriminates against another person (the aggrieved person) on the 

17 

ground of the aggrieved person's sexual orientation if, by reason 

18 

of: 

19 

 

(a)  the aggrieved person's sexual orientation; or 

20 

 

(b)  a characteristic that appertains generally to persons who have 

21 

the same sexual orientation as the aggrieved person; or 

22 

 

(c)  a characteristic that is generally imputed to persons who have 

23 

the same sexual orientation as the aggrieved person; 

24 

the discriminator treats the aggrieved person less favourably than, 

25 

in circumstances that are the same or are not materially different, 

26 

the discriminator treats or would treat a person who has a different 

27 

sexual orientation. 

28 

 

(2)  For the purposes of this Act, a person (the discriminator

29 

discriminates against another person (the aggrieved person) on the 

30 

ground of the aggrieved person's sexual orientation if the 

31 

Schedule 1  Amendments 

Part 1  Amendment of the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 

 

 

6            Sex Discrimination Amendment (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Intersex Status) 

Bill 2013       No.      , 2013 

discriminator imposes, or proposes to impose, a condition, 

requirement or practice that has, or is likely to have, the effect of 

disadvantaging persons who have the same sexual orientation as 

the aggrieved person. 

 

(3)  This section has effect subject to sections 7B and 7D. 

5B  Discrimination on the ground of gender identity 

 

(1)  For the purposes of this Act, a person (the discriminator

discriminates against another person (the aggrieved person) on the 

ground of the aggrieved person's gender identity if, by reason of: 

 

(a)  the aggrieved person's gender identity; or 

10 

 

(b)  a characteristic that appertains generally to persons who have 

11 

the same gender identity as the aggrieved person; or 

12 

 

(c)  a characteristic that is generally imputed to persons who have 

13 

the same gender identity as the aggrieved person; 

14 

the discriminator treats the aggrieved person less favourably than, 

15 

in circumstances that are the same or are not materially different, 

16 

the discriminator treats or would treat a person who has a different 

17 

gender identity. 

18 

 

(2)  For the purposes of this Act, a person (the discriminator

19 

discriminates against another person (the aggrieved person) on the 

20 

ground of the aggrieved person's gender identity if the 

21 

discriminator imposes, or proposes to impose, a condition, 

22 

requirement or practice that has, or is likely to have, the effect of 

23 

disadvantaging persons who have the same gender identity as the 

24 

aggrieved person. 

25 

 

(3)  This section has effect subject to sections 7B and 7D. 

26 

5C  Discrimination on the ground of intersex status 

27 

 

(1)  For the purposes of this Act, a person (the discriminator

28 

discriminates against another person (the aggrieved person) on the 

29 

ground of the aggrieved person's intersex status if, by reason of: 

30 

 

(a)  the aggrieved person's intersex status; or 

31 

 

(b)  a characteristic that appertains generally to persons of 

32 

intersex status; or 

33 

Amendments  Schedule 1 

Amendment of the Sex Discrimination Act 1984  Part 1 

 

 

Sex Discrimination Amendment (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Intersex Status) Bill 

2013       No.      , 2013            7 

 

(c)  a characteristic that is generally imputed to persons of 

intersex status; 

the discriminator treats the aggrieved person less favourably than, 

in circumstances that are the same or are not materially different, 

the discriminator treats or would treat a person who is not of 

intersex status. 

 

(2)  For the purposes of this Act, a person (the discriminator

discriminates against another person (the aggrieved person) on the 

ground of the aggrieved person's intersex status if the 

discriminator imposes, or proposes to impose, a condition, 

10 

requirement or practice that has, or is likely to have, the effect of 

11 

disadvantaging persons of intersex status. 

12 

 

(3)  This section has effect subject to sections 7B and 7D. 

13 

18  Section 6 (heading) 

14 

Omit "marital status", substitute "marital or relationship status". 

15 

19  Subsections 6(1) and (2) 

16 

Omit "marital status" (wherever occurring), substitute "marital or 

17 

relationship status". 

18 

20  Subsection 7B(1) 

19 

After "5(2),", insert "5A(2), 5B(2), 5C(2),". 

20 

21  Subsection 7B(1) 

21 

Omit "or section 7A". 

22 

22  Paragraph 7D(1)(b) 

23 

Repeal the paragraph, substitute: 

24 

 

(aa)  people who have different sexual orientations; or 

25 

 

(ab)  people who have different gender identities; or 

26 

 

(ac)  people who are of intersex status and people who are not; or 

27 

 

(b)  people who have different marital or relationship statuses; or 

28 

23  Subsection 7D(2) 

29 

After "5,", insert "5A, 5B, 5C,". 

30 

Schedule 1  Amendments 

Part 1  Amendment of the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 

 

 

8            Sex Discrimination Amendment (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Intersex Status) 

Bill 2013       No.      , 2013 

24  Section 8 

After "5(1),", insert "5A(1), 5B(1), 5C(1),". 

25  Subsection 10(2) 

Omit "discrimination on the ground of marital status", substitute 

"discrimination on the ground of sexual orientation, discrimination on 

the ground of gender identity, discrimination on the ground of intersex 

status, discrimination on the ground of marital or relationship status". 

26  Subsection 11(2) 

Omit "discrimination on the ground of marital status", substitute 

"discrimination on the ground of sexual orientation, discrimination on 

10 

the ground of gender identity, discrimination on the ground of intersex 

11 

status, discrimination on the ground of marital or relationship status". 

12 

27  Subsections 14(1) and (2) 

13 

Omit "marital status", substitute "sexual orientation, gender identity, 

14 

intersex status, marital or relationship status". 

15 

28  Subsection 14(4) 

16 

Omit "or marital status", substitute ", sexual orientation or marital or 

17 

relationship status". 

18 

29  Subsections 15(1) and (2) 

19 

Omit "marital status", substitute "sexual orientation, gender identity, 

20 

intersex status, marital or relationship status". 

21 

30  Section 16 

22 

Omit "marital status", substitute "sexual orientation, gender identity, 

23 

intersex status, marital or relationship status". 

24 

31  Subsections 17(1), (2) and (3) 

25 

Omit "marital status", substitute "sexual orientation, gender identity, 

26 

intersex status, marital or relationship status". 

27 

32  Section 18 

28 

Omit "marital status", substitute "sexual orientation, gender identity, 

29 

intersex status, marital or relationship status". 

30 

Amendments  Schedule 1 

Amendment of the Sex Discrimination Act 1984  Part 1 

 

 

Sex Discrimination Amendment (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Intersex Status) Bill 

2013       No.      , 2013            9 

33  Subsections 19(1) and (2) 

Omit "marital status", substitute "sexual orientation, gender identity, 

intersex status, marital or relationship status". 

34  Section 20 

Omit "marital status", substitute "sexual orientation, gender identity, 

intersex status, marital or relationship status". 

35  Subsections 21(1) and (2) 

Omit "marital status", substitute "sexual orientation, gender identity, 

intersex status, marital or relationship status". 

36  Paragraphs 21(3)(a) and (b) 

10 

Omit "the opposite sex to", substitute "a different sex from". 

11 

37  Subsection 22(1) 

12 

Omit "marital status", substitute "sexual orientation, gender identity, 

13 

intersex status, marital or relationship status". 

14 

38  Subsections 23(1) and (2) 

15 

Omit "marital status", substitute "sexual orientation, gender identity, 

16 

intersex status, marital or relationship status". 

17 

39  Paragraph 23(3)(c) 

18 

Omit "a particular marital status or particular marital statuses", 

19 

substitute "one or more particular marital or relationship statuses". 

20 

40  Subsection 24(1) 

21 

Omit "marital status", substitute "sexual orientation, gender identity, 

22 

intersex status, marital or relationship status". 

23 

41  Subsections 25(1) and (2) 

24 

Omit "marital status", substitute "sexual orientation, gender identity, 

25 

intersex status, marital or relationship status". 

26 

42  Subsection 25(3) 

27 

Omit "the opposite sex", substitute "a different sex". 

28 

Schedule 1  Amendments 

Part 1  Amendment of the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 

 

 

10            Sex Discrimination Amendment (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Intersex 

Status) Bill 2013       No.      , 2013 

43  Subsection 26(1) 

Omit "marital status", substitute "sexual orientation, gender identity, 

intersex status, marital or relationship status". 

44  Paragraph 27(1)(b) 

Omit "marital status", substitute "sexual orientation, gender identity, 

intersex status, marital or relationship status". 

45  Subparagraphs 27(1)(c)(i) and (ii) 

Repeal the subparagraphs, substitute: 

 

(i)  of a different sex; or 

 

(ia)  who have a different sexual orientation; or 

10 

 

(ib)  who have a different gender identity; or 

11 

 

(ic)  who are not of intersex status; or 

12 

 

(ii)  who have a different marital or relationship status; or 

13 

46  Paragraph 28A(1A)(a) 

14 

Omit "marital status, sexual preference", substitute "sexual orientation, 

15 

gender identity, intersex status, marital or relationship status". 

16 

47  Subsections 30(1) and (2) 

17 

Omit "the opposite sex to" (wherever occurring), substitute "a different 

18 

sex from". 

19 

48  Subsection 35(2) 

20 

Omit "marital status", substitute "marital or relationship status". 

21 

49  Paragraph 35(2)(b) 

22 

After "spouse", insert "or de facto partner". 

23 

50  Subsections 38(1), (2) and (3) 

24 

Omit "marital status", substitute "sexual orientation, gender identity, 

25 

marital or relationship status". 

26 

51  Section 39 

27 

Omit "marital status", substitute "sexual orientation, gender identity, 

28 

intersex status, marital or relationship status". 

29 

Amendments  Schedule 1 

Amendment of the Sex Discrimination Act 1984  Part 1 

 

 

Sex Discrimination Amendment (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Intersex Status) Bill 

2013       No.      , 2013            11 

52  After subsection 40(2) 

Insert: 

 

(2A)  Nothing in Division 1 or 2, as applying by reference to section 5A, 

5B, 5C or 6, affects anything done by a person in direct compliance 

with the Marriage Act 1961

 

(2B)  Nothing in Division 1 or 2, as applying by reference to section 5A, 

5B or 5C, affects anything done by a person in direct compliance 

with a law of the Commonwealth, or of a State or Territory, that is 

prescribed by the regulations for the purpose of this subsection. 

53  Subsection 41A(1) 

10 

Omit "marital status" (wherever occurring), substitute "marital or 

11 

relationship status". 

12 

54  Subparagraph 41A(1)(b)(ii) 

13 

Omit "no spouse (whether legal or de facto)", substitute "no spouse 

14 

or de facto partner". 

15 

55  Paragraph 41A(2)(b) 

16 

Omit "marital status", substitute "marital or relationship status". 

17 

56  Paragraph 41A(2)(b) 

18 

Omit "discrimination; and", substitute "discrimination.". 

19 

57  Paragraph 41A(2)(c) 

20 

Repeal the paragraph. 

21 

58  Subsections 41B(3) and (4) 

22 

Omit "marital status", substitute "marital or relationship status". 

23 

59  Subsection 42(1) 

24 

Omit "exclude persons of one sex", substitute "discriminate on the 

25 

ground of sex, gender identity or intersex status by excluding persons". 

26 

60  After section 43 

27 

Insert: 

28 

Schedule 1  Amendments 

Part 1  Amendment of the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 

 

 

12            Sex Discrimination Amendment (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Intersex 

Status) Bill 2013       No.      , 2013 

43A  Requests for information and keeping of records: not allowing 

for identifying as being neither male nor female 

 

(1)  The making of a request for information is not unlawful under 

Division 1 or 2 merely because the request does not allow for a 

person to identify as being neither male nor female. 

 

(2)  Nothing in Division 1 or 2 makes it unlawful to make or keep 

records in a way that does not provide for a person to be identified 

as being neither male nor female. 

61  Paragraphs 48(1)(g), (ga) and (gb) 

Omit "marital status", substitute "sexual orientation, gender identity, 

10 

intersex status, marital or relationship status". 

11 

Amendments  Schedule 1 

Amendments of other Acts  Part 2 

 

 

Sex Discrimination Amendment (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Intersex Status) Bill 

2013       No.      , 2013            13 

Part 2

--

Amendments of other Acts 

Migration Act 1958 

62  Section 507 (heading) 

Omit "Marital status", substitute "Marital or relationship status". 

63  Subsection 507(2) 

Omit "marital status", substitute "marital or relationship status". 

Schedule 1  Amendments 

Part 3  Application of amendments 

 

 

14            Sex Discrimination Amendment (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Intersex 

Status) Bill 2013       No.      , 2013 

Part 3

--

Application of amendments 

64  Application of amendments 

The amendments of the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 made by this 

Schedule apply in relation to acts or omissions occurring after the 

commencement of this Schedule. 

 


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