Friday 24 June 2022 01:54 AM Health secretary Brendan Murphy defines woman two months after struggling with ... trends now Health official who struggled to define a woman FINALLY gives his answer - but it's more than 77 words long Health bureaucrat who struggled to define woman gave his answer months later Dr Brendan Murphy stumbled over words during a Senate Estimates in April Department of Health released a statement on Friday finally revealing definition By Aidan Wondracz and Eliza Mcphee For Daily Mail Australia Published: 01:50 BST, 24 June 2022 | Updated: 01:50 BST, 24 June 2022 Viewcomments A top health bureaucrat who struggled to give the definition of a woman when questioned by a Liberal senator has finally given his answer two months later. Health secretary Dr Brendan Murphy stumbled over his words when he was asked to define a woman by Liberal Senator Alex Antic during Senate Estimates in April. 'Perhaps to give a more fulsome answer, we should take that on notice,' he said. Dr Murphy had remained silent on the topic since the hearing before finally giving his definition through a statement released by the Department of Health on Friday. The definition runs for a lengthy 78 words and opens with the Department claiming it 'does not adopt a single definition'. Health secretary Dr Brendan Murphy (pictured) stumbled over his words when he was asked to define a woman by Liberal Senator Alex Antic during Senate Estimates in April Dr Murphy had remained silent on the topic since the hearing before finally giving his definition through a statement released by the Department of Health on Friday (stock image) 'The frameworks adopted to define a person's gender include chromosomal makeup... the gender assigned at birth… and the gender with which a person identifies,' the statement reads. 'Health policies and access to health programs are based on clinical evidence and clinical need for all Australians. That is regardless of gender identity, biological characteristics, or genetic variations'. 'Our programs are designed to be inclusive and to provide better health and wellbeing for all Australians'. Mr Antic had initially asked for the definition of a woman and posed the question to several Department of Health bosses before the room fell silent in April. 'Can someone please provide me with what a definition of a woman is?' he asked. 'Department of Health - (what is the) definition of a man, definition of a woman, anyone? Basic stuff.' He then directed the question to Professor Murphy, who laughed as he struggled to find the right words. 'I think there are a variety of definitions,' he said. Mr Antic then requested a simple answer. 'Perhaps to give a more fulsome answer, we should take that on notice.' Mr Antic then questioned why the health secretary needed to take notice on such a simple question. Liberal Senator Alex Antic asked the Australian Department of Health for the definition of a woman in April Health Secretary Dr Brendan Murphy stumbled over his words as he tried to define what a woman is, saying there was a 'variety' of definitions 'It's a very ... uh ... it's a very contested space at the moment,' Dr Murphy continued. 'There are definitions in how people identify themselves, so we are happy to provide our working definitions on those.' The Senator labelled his response 'hilarious' and said it was 'the best thing I've seen thus far' in the hearings. The Senator speculated whether authorities were afraid to provide a definition for fear they may offend some people and cop backlash. 'People who five years ago would have been quite comfortable answering a simple question now seem to almost look over their shoulder and wonder who's coming for them. It's extraordinary,' he added. Mr Antic said he was looking forward to hearing back what the health department's definition was, while host Fordham said his primary school aged children could have easily answered the question. 'I've got kids in primary school I'm pretty sure if I asked them tonight they'd know the answer, but anyway, apparently our health secretary needs a month to come up with an answer,' the radio presenter said. Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility