# UN expert challenges Australian commissioner’s view on lactation protections

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/breastfeeding-rights-for-biological-males-spark-backlash-as-un-expert-blasts-australian-commissioners-flawed-stance/
- Published: 2026-10-28T01:13:30+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-28T01:22:13+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Mail (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16244291/un-expert-sex-discrimination-commissioner-transgender-breastfeeding-row.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
- Topics: Geopolitics, Politics, World

## Key points

- A UN expert criticised the commissioner’s interpretation of breastfeeding protections.
- The dispute centres on Section 7AA and induced lactation.
- Cody said breastfeeding protections apply equally to those who breastfeed.

## Summary

UN special rapporteur Reem Alsalem criticised Australian Sex Discrimination Commissioner Anna Cody’s view that transgender women who induce lactation are covered by breastfeeding discrimination protections. The dispute matters because it concerns how Australian law and workplace protections apply, and how sex and gender identity are treated in interpreting those protections.

At a Senate committee hearing, Liberal senator Leah Blyth asked whether Section 7AA of the Sex Discrimination Act covers a biological male who identifies as a woman and induces lactation. Cody said people who are breastfeeding receive the same protections, including access to lactation breaks and facilities. Alsalem called that position “flawed”, arguing it conflates sex with gender identity; Cody also took on notice a question about New South Wales’ restored references to “women” and “mother” in breastfeeding policies.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.