Former Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has removed the term "birthing parent" from certain medical forms after a public outcry and replacing it with "mother".

I find the terms 'birthing parent' and 'mother' highly impersonal. People should be able to select whatever term they want to be put on a form that is truly reflective of themselves. The terms "birthing parent" and "mother" are not inclusive as a result.

No word or words can truly describe your circumstances as a person. You are being forced to accept something that is not reflective of you.

A person may feel words put on a medical form can truly describe themselves. Why should someone be forced into something they don't want? My name does not truly reflect who I am, it is a generic term given to me by my parents (with no meaning to me), so I don't use it often - only when required.

There is so much more to people than words - it's our actions that make the difference!

The term birthing person is as ridiculous as chest feeding which is supposed to accommodate transexual females. But it puts all mothers as questionable biological gender.

The title should have read, "Bill Shorten removes the term birthing parent" from medical forms

Our economy isn't that good to waste time with such moronic frivolities !
Get families into homes & make bureaucrats accountable !

Well done Bill Shorten.

Bill just went up in my estimation.

I echo ttbn’s sentiments.