Dutton questioned over trans women after unveiling $90m domestic violence package

After announcing the Liberal Party would criminalise mobile phone use to threaten and track intimate partners and build a national register of offenders, the opposition leader was questioned over whether trans women are included in the women’s safety scheme.

The UK’s top court ruled that the definition of a woman is based on biological sex and does not include transgender women.

“A woman and gender is defined with reference made the other day to a case in the United Kingdom,” Dutton said.

“I think a woman is defined as an adult female and that is the definition.”

When asked if trans women would be protected under the scheme, Dutton said there would be education and early intervention for people “regardless of gender”.

Dutton said the Coalition will invest $90 million and build on a national decade-long plan to end violence against women and children in Australia if elected.

The Liberal Party’s 14-point plan includes a national domestic violence register which would allow police to access information about a person’s criminal history.

The Coalition said it would also push for legislation to outlaw the use of mobile devices and computers to cause a partner or a loved one to fear for safety or be tracked.

”As a former police officer who attended numerous domestic violence call-outs, I know the lifelong impact of these horrific crimes,” Dutton said.

“A government I lead will be focused on delivering real change so that families, women and children are safer and we end family and domestic violence.”

This includes $8.6 million invested in early intervention programs and ankle monitors and a crackdown on financial abuse.

Labor and the Coalition’s investments would form part of a national cabinet plan to inject $4.7 billion into domestic violence prevention.