Mona's Ladies Lounge discrimination case heads to Tasmania's Supreme Court amid appeal to reinstate ladies-only space

A piece of performance art before a court case about art as performance Mona's Kirscha Kaechels slowly leads a delegation of women into the supreme court in Hobart to continue the legal fight to prevent men from entering the museum's women's only "ladies lounge". Mona has appealed against a tribunal decision to allow the anti-discrimination complaint brought by New South Wales man, Jason lau inside the courtroom lawyers argued about whether men's experience of discrimination can actually be part of the artwork and if the ladies lounge is able to address past and present gender inequality. Acting for mona Catherine Scott told the court that the discrimination was the entire point. For men to reflect on ongoing gender inequality. Saying: "women, you can come in. Men can't and go away and think about why" That Mr Lau "did participate in the artwork in the way that it was intended". And that the lounge is essentially a "flipped universe". Acting for Mr Lau Greg Barns SC questioned whether the lounge. As a specific space could address present gender inequality. That it doesn't give space for women-only artists and "it isn't going to do what the anti-discrimination act is designed to do, and that is to address structural inequality". The lounge is currently closed, but for mona the court case could have been a blessing. “Jason Lau is a gift from day one. I love Jason Lau, and he's a lovely man, and he really believed in having the debate, the conversation. I'm indebted to him forever” Acting Justice Shane Marshall reserved his decision for a later date