My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. The High Court has refused special leave in the Tickle v Giggle case, leaving in place the ruling against a women-only networking app and confirming that the problem is with the law. The coalition has now twice sought to have the Senate deal with legislation to restore common sense to the Sex Discrimination Act, recognise biological sex and protect the rights of women and girls. Twice Labor has now said no. Why does Prime Minister Albanese continue to oppose legislation that would protect the rights of biological women and girls in female-only spaces, including change rooms, bathrooms, sporting competitions and domestic violence refuges?

First, I would make the point that, when it comes to these issues, I thought former senator Marise Payne expressed a view that was very sensible, very centrist and, I think, very ethical. She said:

… in public life, we do have to be very careful about the way we express our opinions. Most importantly, we have to exercise sensitivity and respect.

And that is a key word, respect. Our view is that all people are entitled to respect, dignity and the opportunity to participate in society free from discrimination. We are a government that has put women's equality at the heart of everything we do, supported by equal representation in our caucus and around the cabinet table. I would say to you, Senator, I think people do understand what it is you are trying to do—

Yes, protect the rights of women and girls—

I will take that interjection about protecting the rights of women and girls. I'd welcome, for example, you condemning some of the comments made—I think, just in the last 24 hours—around consent in marriage, and that you don't need consent in marriage. I'd welcome that. I'd welcome you actually backing in some of the work we do in developing countries in relation to the rights of women and girls. I'd welcome you, on the International Day of the Girl Child on 11 October, standing up and giving bipartisan support to development assistance so we can actually work to prevent child marriage and to provide girls with education. Then I might take you seriously, and we might take you seriously, and women and girls around this country might take you seriously when it comes to issues of equality and respect.

Senator Cash, first supplementary. I remind you that, when I ask you to come to order, to come to order. I had to call you several times.

Minister, this is no longer an accident or an oversight. Women have been fighting this issue through the courts and the Human Rights Commission for more than three years. The Prime Minister has now had two opportunities in this parliament to support protections for biological women and girls. Twice Labor has refused. Why doesn't Prime Minister Albanese care about the privacy, dignity and safety of biological women and girls- in women-only spaces, including change rooms, bathrooms, sport and domestic violence refuges?

This prime minister has brought women's safety and equality for women to the heart of government's policy. You can see that from the work we have done, whether it is the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Girls, or it is in terms of the economic agenda and the extent to which there has been a focus on how we address the gender pay gap. This is a prime minister and a government that has—

It doesn't matter.

I'll take the interjection. Here we go again! I'll take the interjection from the Leader of the Opposition. When we talk about the gender pay gap, she says, 'It doesn't matter.' It doesn't matter because, on that side of the table, they don't think that actually giving working women equality when it comes to pay and conditions is important. It says everything about their priority. You know, your priority is always division. It is never equality.

Senator Cash, second supplementary.

Minister, Australians now know exactly where the Prime Minister stands. Women have spent years fighting for their sex based rights. Twice the Prime Minister has been given the opportunity to recognise biological sex and support those sex based right protections. Twice he has said no. Why should Australian women and girls trust a prime minister who repeatedly refuses to support their sex based rights?

The Senator talks about what is clear, and I think we know what is clear. It is clear that on this side we have a government, a prime minister, a cabinet and a Minister for Women that are leading reforms about improving equality and equity in this country. It's a government that is about improving the wages, conditions and the economic position of women, a government that is about trying to combat family and domestic violence, a government which is investing in more housing and accommodation for women and children fleeing family violence.

It doesn't matter how much you interrupt me—the reality is you are never for equality when it comes to women. Do you know what you are for? You are for a stunt which is nothing more than division, and everybody can see that, because this is not about this is not about delivering change that improves the lives of women and girls— (Time expired)

Senator Cash! We have finished that question.