Senator Defends Suspended Councillor Who Spoke Out on Transgender Issues

The annual New York City Pride March in New York City on June 25, 2023. Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times

United Australia Senator Ralph Babet has defended Hobart City Councillor Louise Elliot, a women’s rights activist, recently suspended from Hobart City Council.

Senator Babet said Ms. Elliot was suspended for “speaking in defense of women’s rights” at an event organised by outspoken activist, Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull, also known as Posie Parker.

“One of Louise’s great crimes was attending a Let Women Speak rally, organised by Kellie-Jay Keen,” Senator Babet said in a statement.

“What happened to the old women’s rights movement? It’s 2024 and people like Louise are being accused of hatred for simply stating biological facts and standing up for women’s rights.”

“Louise is a proud Australian who possesses the courage and conviction that we should expect of our elected representatives.”

Councillor Spoke In Personal Capacity About Trans Issues

At the Let Women Speak event, Ms. Elliot said “transwomen are transwomen and remain biological men,” among other comments, sparking claims she incited hatred towards transgender women.

In addition, she said it is unfair and unsafe for biological men to compete in women’s sporting categories, especially after puberty and in physical sports.

In late January 2024, Ms. Elliot said she was suspended from Hobart City Council in relation to a code of conduct complaint made against her, and is appealing the decision at the Hobart Magistrates Court.

“The paperwork I received was emphasised as confidential with a penalty of $10,000 for speaking about it, yet the Lord Mayor is telling the world: One rule for me, one rule for others, it seems,” Ms. Elliot said.

“I don’t follow the woke, politically correct, super-safe narratives that career politicians feel they need to for their own self-preservation. I say what’s true and my fair opinion, and many people agree with me.”

The Epoch Times has contacted the Hobart City Council for comment.

Senator Babet said he flew to Hobart to meet Ms. Elliot and said her case was a “test of our right to free and political speech.”

“Whatever happened to the tolerant Left? Speaking the truth is not hatred. Where are women’s rights advocates? They should be standing with Louise and supporting her.”

He said Ms. Elliot and her family have been “harassed and intimidated” by those who profess values of tolerance and acceptance.

“I urge all freedom-loving Australians to support Louise. Send her a message and donate to her cause. Free speech is precious, and we must do all we can to defend it.”

Ms. Elliot has set up a donation page to help with her legal fight against the claim she “incited hatred”, and recently posted to X that the claim will be getting underway.

Meanwhile, Ms. Elliot was also blocked from booking an event with MP Moira Deeming, and women’s rights activist Katherine Deves.

The Australian newspaper also recently reported anti-discrimination commissioner, Sarah Bolt, would be looking into this complaint of discrimination on the grounds of political belief and association.

“It’s reassuring that the complaint was accepted … and to see impartiality has been appropriately applied,” Ms. Elliot told the publication.