Overview
- Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said people assigned male at birth who identify as female will be placed in men's prisons, adding the rule will continue.
- She said an October 2024 clarification has resulted in zero men being placed in women's facilities and has directed the minister and commissioner to strengthen the policy further.
- The Department of Corrections confirmed a directive exists under NT and federal anti-discrimination laws but declined to publish it, citing security and the small cohort of gender-diverse inmates.
- LGBTQIA+, health and justice advocates, including Vital Collective and the Justice and Equity Centre, condemned the stance as discriminatory and warned it heightens risks for gender-diverse prisoners.
- Conservative groups such as Women's Forum Australia praised the move and urged national bans, with the Australian Christian Lobby calling for South Australia to adopt a similar prohibition.