Australia’s federal Minister for Women, Senator Katy Gallagher, refused to answer what a woman is when pressed by Sky News Australia’s Outsiders program — despite the word appearing prominently in her official job title.
The minister’s refusal comes as Australia’s federal government has declined to follow the lead of the UK Supreme Court, which earlier this year issued a unanimous ruling confirming that “woman” under equality law refers to biological sex.
The Albanese government has not updated its own equality or anti-discrimination frameworks in response to that ruling.
When challenged on the basic definition, Gallagher deflected, offering no coherent answer. A government minister whose entire portfolio is built around advocating for women cannot — or will not — say what a woman is.
That is not a minor rhetorical failure. It reveals an ideology that has consumed the word “woman” while simultaneously refusing to define it.