In a deeply concerning development that highlights the dangers of Queensland's gender self-ID laws, Toowoomba City Council has confirmed it must allow biological men to access women's and girls' change rooms at public facilities.
This decision, which has sent shockwaves through the local community, was brought to light after an incident at the Milne Bay Aquatic and Fitness Centre, where a biological male, identifying as female, was granted permission to use the women's changing facilities.
The situation has sparked concern among parents and community members, who are now questioning the safety and privacy of women and children in public spaces.
Alex Todd, the Queensland Campaign Director for the Family First Party, was among the first to raise the alarm after being contacted by a distressed friend.
"A friend of mine was horrified after learning that an adult male, dressed as a woman, had been approved to use the women's changing facilities at the Milne Bay Centre," Todd told ADH TV this week.
"She was worried for her daughters' safety and asked, 'What do I do about this? I don't want my daughters in the same changing facility as this man.'"
Despite these legitimate concerns, Toowoomba City Council has stated that its hands are tied due to the recently enacted gender self-ID laws which allow a man to change his gender to female, no questions asked.
The Council’s position, forced on it by the Labor government, has left many feeling powerless and frustrated, as the safety and privacy of women and girls are seemingly being compromised.
"The Mayor confirmed that the law insists that anyone can choose which bathroom or change room they use," Todd explained.
"However, I worry that a surprised or frightened woman might be punished for 'inappropriate behaviour' if she objects to a man in the change room."
This troubling situation is a direct result of the political ignorance displayed during the debate over these laws in Parliament last year.
While voting against the laws, Queensland’s LNP shadow Attorney General, Tim Nicholls, nonetheless dismissed concerns, claiming there is "no evidence whatsoever that transwomen (men identifying as women) are any more likely to commit offences than other women are" and that "the issue of men seeking to take advantage of the laws, while a concern of many groups, is not supported by the evidence."
This statement, made during a parliamentary debate, reflects a dangerous lack of understanding and a failure to protect vulnerable women and girls.
Lyle Shelton, National Director of the Family First Party, has vowed to take action.
"The Family First Party is committed to repealing Queensland's gender self-ID laws to protect the safety and privacy of women and children in public facilities," Shelton said. He emphasised the urgency of addressing this issue, particularly in light of the growing number of incidents where these laws have been used to justify the invasion of women’s spaces.
The current legal framework leaves little room for local authorities to act in the best interests of their communities, a reality that is becoming increasingly untenable.
"This is the craziness of these laws," Shelton remarked. "It really does tie the hands of a local community like Toowoomba and puts our girls at risk."
Western Australia is debating similar laws and former same-sex marriage activist Alex Greenwich, now a member of the NSW Parliament, also has a bill ready to go.
The battle to repeal these dangerous laws is not just about protecting privacy—it’s about safeguarding the very fabric of our society.
The Family First Party and concerned citizens across Australia are calling for immediate legislative change to ensure that public spaces remain safe and accessible for everyone, particularly women and children.
ACTION: Join the fight for girls' and women's rights, join the Family First party today.