Queensland’s Liberal National government has become the first in Australia to deny minors puberty blockers amid a statewide probe.
Health Minister Tim Nicholls on Tuesday announced the independent review into the evidence for hormone treatments for children with gender dysphoria.
It comes after reports gender-affirming hormones had been given to minors as young as 12 years of age without authorised care in the state’s far north.
New patients aged under 18 won’t be able to access hormone treatments through Queensland’s public system until the LNP government considers the outcome of the review, reportedly set to last until 2026.
Kids already on a treatment plan, nearly 600 in total, can still access the services.
Children with gender dysphoria unable to begin hormone therapy will still be able to access psychiatric and psychological support.
The state review was sparked by reports pediatric gender services were being given to children at the Cairns Sexual Health Service without proper medical support and parental consent.
A public interest disclosure was received regarding a 12-year-old being prescribed a puberty blocker without proper consultation in Cairns.
Multi-disciplinary consultation must be sought for all under-14s who want to start puberty blockers with input from psychologists, psychiatrists, pediatricians and family.
The Cairns service provided unauthorised care to 42 children with 17 of those prescribed puberty blockers or hormone therapies, an internal review found.
“In short, assessment, diagnosis and treatment may not have aligned with Australian treatment guidelines,” Mr Nicholls said.
An investigation into the Cairns clinic will look at health services delivered to patients and governance framework, with a report expected by June.
Some critics are outraged by the decision to deny puberty blockers and hormone therapies to minors.
Queensland was the first and “hopefully the last” to implement the change, Just Equal Australia said.
“It’s very disappointing the Queensland government has stopped what are lifesaving treatments for some young trans and gender diverse people,” it told AAP.
“Young transgender people, their families and doctors should be able to make important health decisions free from meddling by politicians … we urge the Queensland government not to pander to prejudice.”
Equality Australia described Queensland as an “outlier state”, saying the move was at odds with current evidence, expert consensus and the majority of clinical guidelines around the world.
The statewide probe will investigate the use of hormone therapies in children and whether there should be more regulations on medical gender-affirming care.
The issue has come under global scrutiny with the UK’s controversial Cass review ultimately leading to the National Health Service restricting the use of puberty blockers in children.
An independent review in 2024 found Queensland children with gender dysphoria were not being rushed or coerced into receiving puberty blockers or hormones.
It did identify the state’s gender services were struggling to keep up with waitlists.
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