Katherine Deves

Katherine Deves is an Australian lawyer who ran unsuccessfully as a candidate for the Liberal Party of Australia at the 2022 federal election. She has come under fire for her views about transgender people.[1]

Katherine Deves
Born1977/1978 (age 44–45)
NationalityAustralian
OccupationLawyer
Known forLiberal Party candidate for Warringah, views on transgender people
Political partyLiberal Party of Australia
Children3

Biography

Deves co-founded the Save Women's Sport lobby group, intended to keep transgender women out of women's sport.[2]

Deves was nominated as a "captain's pick" by Prime Minister Scott Morrison for the seat of Warringah, as the candidate for the Liberal Party, in the 2022 Australian federal election,[1] despite a candidate, David Brady, had already been expected to receive Liberal nomination, and that she had already been declined to run for the seat on the grounds that she had not been a member of the party long enough.[3] She was chosen by a three-person committee consisting of former president of the New South Wales Liberals Christine McDiven, Scott Morrison and New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet.[3]

During the campaign, comments relating to transgender people, were released, which caused significant controversy.[4] Statements made by Deves included incorrectly claiming that gender reassignment surgery was available to teenagers and that anti-transgender activism was equivalent to "standing up against the Holocaust".[4][5] Deves also stated that transgender children were "surgically mutilated and sterilised", which she initially apologised for, before walking back the apology.[6][7] She was invited to the Sydney Jewish Museum, after her comment relating to the Holocaust.[8] Many Liberals, including Treasurer of New South Wales Matt Kean and member for the federal seat of North Sydney Trent Zimmermann called for her to be disendorsed;[9] however, other anonymous Liberal Party members and Scott Morrison backed Deves.[10][11]

Deves was defeated in the seat of Warringah, suffering a 6.6% swing.[12] After the election, Deves objected to criticism that she was homophobic, stating on Sky News Australia, "Of all of the untruths and distortions attributed to me in my public life there is one lie that hurts more than any other, and that is the completely groundless accusation that I am homophobic."[13]

On 17 April 2023, Deves announced that she would be nominating to fill the Senate vacancy left by Jim Molan. If successful, she stated that she would oppose the Indigenous Voice to Parliament.[14] Deves pulled out of the contest on 23 April.[15]

Personal life

Deves lives in Manly Vale with her partner and three daughters.[2] She was injured after skiing at Thredbo, missing a party meeting.[16]

Deves is an active contributor to Sky News Australia and The Spectator.[17][18]

References
  1. Koziol, Michael (2022-04-23). "From internet activist to captain's pick: who is Katherine Deves?". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2022-08-14.
  2. "Biological-sex campaigner to seek Liberal endorsement for Warringah". Australian Financial Review. 2022-02-08. Retrieved 2022-08-14.
  3. "How a gender warrior hijacked the 2022 election". Australian Financial Review. 2022-04-20. Retrieved 2022-08-26.
  4. "Morrison stands by Katherine Deves and wrongly claims 'young adolescents' can have gender confirmation surgery". The Guardian. 2022-05-10. Retrieved 2022-08-14.
  5. "NSW Liberal candidate likens anti-trans activism to opposing the Holocaust". The Guardian. 2022-04-14. Retrieved 2022-08-14.
  6. Maiden, Samantha (2022-03-12). "PM's 'captain's pick' for Warringah Katherine Deves wipes social media accounts after transgender comments". News.com.au.
  7. McLeod, Catie (2022-05-09). "Katherine Deves walks back apology for social media post about transgender children". Retrieved 2022-08-26.
  8. Staff, Ajn. "Deves visits Sydney Jewish Museum". Australian Jewish News. Retrieved 2022-08-26.
  9. "Deves won't be 'cancelled': Morrison". Australian Financial Review. 2022-04-20. Retrieved 2022-08-26.
  10. "Why some conservatives see Katherine Deves' candidacy as a 'godsend'". The Guardian. 2022-04-22. Retrieved 2022-08-27.
  11. "'Hurling opinions': Trans groups say PM comments on kids' surgery are misinformation". ABC News. 2022-05-10. Retrieved 2022-08-27.
  12. "Katherine Deves' defeat in Warringah 'a stunning rebuke of politics of division', advocates say". SBS World News. Retrieved 2022-08-14.
  13. Deves, Katherine (2022-11-17). "'I am not a homophobe': Katherine Deves unleashes on 'vicious' critics within her own party". Sky News Australia. Retrieved 2022-12-24.
  14. Maddison, Max (2023-04-17). "Katherine Deves to nominate for Jim Molan's NSW Senate vacancy". The Australian. Retrieved 2023-04-17.
  15. Clarke, Tyrone (2023-04-22). "Katherine Deves withdraws from race to fill Jim Molan's Senate spot". Sky News Australia. Retrieved 2023-04-23.
  16. Towell, Kishor Napier-Raman, Noel (2022-07-19). "Deves misses Warringah meeting after High Noon skiing smash". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2022-08-14.
  17. "Author: Katherine Deves". The Spectator. Retrieved 2022-12-24.
  18. Murray, Paul; Deves, Katherine (2022-11-29), Age of criminal responsibility set to be raised, retrieved 2022-12-24
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