Labor MP Takes Issue With LNP for Not Omitting the Words ‘His, Her’ From Education Bill

Queensland Labor’s shadow education spokeswoman Di Farmer says the laws need to cut out words like ‘his’ and ’her.’

Students are seen entering school grounds for their first day back of the year in Brisbane, Australia, on Feb, 7, 2022. AAP Image/Russell Freeman

A Labor minister has criticised recently passed state education amendments because of its lack of politically correct language.

The state government’s new “Changes to the Education” laws aim to cut the regulatory burden teachers and principals by 25 percent with the aim of moving them away from administrative tasks.

But for Labor’s shadow education spokeswoman, Di Farmer, the devil was in the detail.

Farmer took aim at the terminology used in the Education (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 2025, for not including proposed Labor provisions to remove “gendered” terms like “his” or “her.”

The MP said genderless terms like “child” or “young person” should have been used instead.

“Wow! How scary is that? How scary is it to use the words ‘child’ and ‘young person’ instead of ‘him’ and ‘her?’” Farmer said in state parliament (pdf).

“It just shows how completely off the ranch these people are. ‘Let’s not talk about values,’ the [Premier David Crisafulli] told the [Liberal National Party] state conference this year, but, of course, what would you expect from a government that pauses ... gender-affirming care?

“In our bill there were proposals to introduce guiding principles. They are not in this bill.”

Farmer posted her comment on Facebook.

About the Reforms

The new laws will try streamline consent processes for approved online services and simplify enrolment.

Minister for Education John-Paul Langbroek said the reforms would help by doing away with unnecessary paperwork.

“The former Labor government left teachers drowning in unnecessary paperwork while students suffered with lagging education standards,” he said in a statement.

“Our reforms provide more support for teachers and principals, which will allow them to focus on teaching and learning.

“We know there’s more work to be done and that’s why we will continue working with teachers, principals, and school staff to reduce red tape by 25 percent.”

Langbroek said there had been widespread support for the reforms among stakeholders.

“While we are delivering safer classrooms and more teachers with 15 new schools, there is much more to be done to deliver for Queensland’s future, and we remain committed to delivering the fresh start we promised,” he said.