SA parliament to move to gender neutral language

Gendered pronouns such as ‘she’ and ‘he’ will be replaced with ‘they’ and ‘them’ after a review prompted recommendations to move to gender neutral language. 

Under the changes, terms such as “Her Majesty” when referring to the monarch, and “His Excellency” when referring to the governor, have now been replaced. 

“Her Majesty” will be called “the sovereign” and “His Excellency” will instead be known as “the governor”. 

Other changes that have been adopted after the review include reforms to allow maternity leave, breastfeeding infants in the chamber and committees to meet electronically.

Opposition spokeswoman Michelle Lensink said the changes had the Liberal Party’s support.

“It’s important the parliament continues to represent all South Australians by reflecting community expectations and the simplifying and updating of references now brings us in line with other jurisdictions across the country,” she said.

However, other politicians said the move was going too far and smacked of wokeism.

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The changes only apply to the Lower House, but that did not stop criticism from the Upper House crossbench.

“Wokeism has even penetrated the workings of parliament,” Frank Pangallo, from the SA-Best party, told The Advertiser.

“I don’t think (gendered pronouns) caused any harm or offence in our community. I think this is sort of the left elements in politics that are exerting themselves.”

Mr Pangallo said there were far more important issues the parliament should be focusing on.

 “Verbs not pronouns should be parliament’s priority,” he said.

“This is much ado about nothing, quite frankly.”