Foreman Calls for Complete Ban in Prisons
Family First upper house candidate Jane Foreman has criticised the Victorian Liberals for their insufficient policy on housing men in women’s prisons. She insists that only a full ban will adequately protect women. Currently, between seven to eight biological men who identify as women are housed in women’s prisons in Victoria.
Opposition Leader Jess Wilson stated that biological males convicted of sexual or violent offences would be excluded from women’s prisons. Foreman believes this approach does not go far enough. Last week, Liberal MLC Bev McArthur quoted these comments in Parliament.
“It is not good enough for the Liberals to say that only some men, those convicted of sexual or violent crimes, should be kept out of women’s prisons. The principle is simple: no men should be housed in women’s prisons,” Foreman said.
Recent Cases Highlight Concerns
Recent incidents where biological males in female facilities have posed risks to women were highlighted by Foreman. Taxpayer-funded compensation has resulted from these placements, and a costly legal action from a male prisoner housed in a women’s prison is currently underway.
Earlier this year, Premier Jacinta Allan was called upon to resign by Foreman after an incident involving a biological male prisoner, Clinton Rintoull, who sexually assaulted a female inmate. Foreman says the situation arose because political leaders have failed to clearly define sex-based rights.
“This debacle is the direct result of political leaders lacking the courage to state the obvious, that biological sex matters,” Foreman asserted. She criticised both Labour and Liberal parties for their attempts to appease LGBTQA+ activists. The Victorian Government under Jacinta Allan, she said, prioritises ideology over safety.
An immediate return to clear, sex-based prison policies is urged by Foreman, advocating for the protection of women in custody. “Family First will always stand for common sense: men’s prisons for men, women’s prisons for women. No exceptions,” she said. According to Foreman, both Labour and the Liberals have failed to protect women by pandering to radical LGBTIQA+ political activists.
Foreman concluded that if it is unsafe for a male sex offender to be housed with women, it is equally unsafe for any male to be housed with women. She insists that the logic is inescapable and urges the Liberals to understand this.
Last updated: 14 April 2026, 11:21 am
