Last week, the Queensland LNP government ordered a halt to all puberty blocking drugs being prescribed to children.
Queensland’s Liberal National Party (LNP) is pushing ahead with its own independent review into the use of puberty blockers in youths, despite the announcement of a federal inquiry.
LNP Premier David Crisafulli said the national inquiry announced on last week was a matter for Canberra, while the state would continue on its own path.
The state’s independent review was part of an announcement on Jan. 28 to halt the further prescription of drugs that stem the progress of puberty in young people.
The government said it was concerned about reports of children as young as 12 being given puberty blockers and hormone therapies without parental consent.
Around 500 Queensland children and teens are on the waitlist for treatments, according to health data in the state.
“Our review was triggered by some alarming revelations in the far north,” Crisafulli told ABC Radio on Feb. 3, in confirming his government’s decision to continue down its path.
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“It is important that it is done with one focus in mind and that is to protect Queensland kids—all kids.”
The premier said the review would be carried out with “all the respect and dignity that it deserves,” and will investigate the use of Stage 1 (puberty blockers) and Stage 2 (hormone therapy) medications.
“The Queensland government has already announced on (Jan, 4) that it does not support expansion of the Queensland Children’s Gender Service (QCGS) and it has paused further delivery of the evaluation recommendations, pending further consideration by government,” said Health Minister Tim Nicholls.
“Following the directive to the Director-General of Queensland Health regarding the operation of the Cairns Sexual Health Service, I have also directed the Director General to commission an independently led broad review of the evidence for Stage 1 and Stage 2 hormone therapies for children in Queensland” Nicholls said.
“The lead reviewer will be independent of the Department and the Terms of Reference for the review will be settled in consultation with them.
“The purpose of the broader review is to undertake an independent and robust investigation of best practice in this field.”
Minister’s Call for National Consistency
Upon announcing the federal inquiry, Health Minister Mark Butler said he did not think it appropriate for the state to go it alone.
“I’ve indicated to Minister Nicholls that I don’t think it would be appropriate for Queensland to continue with their stated intention to undertake an evidence review in this area of care,” Butler said.
“These issues should be nationally consistent.”
The federal Labor government announced its landmark review on Jan. 31 days after Queensland’s decision, with Butler saying families needed the “best available” evidence and support when it came to treatments.
“Governments also have a clear responsibility to ensure Australians are receiving the best medical advice and care available,” he said in a statement.
“That responsibility is especially important when it comes to the care of highly vulnerable children and adolescents.”
As part of the federal review, the National Health and Medical Research Council will examine gender treatments, including the use of the drug.
Worldwide, numerous governments have introduced reviews or restrictions on gender treatments for children, with U.S. President Donald Trump signing an executive order to end the funding of gender treatments for children last week.
Countries including Sweden, Finland, Norway and Denmark and the United Kingdom have restricted the use of puberty blockers.
‘Must Never Be Allowed Again’: One Nation
Queensland One Nation Senator Pauline Hanson has long called for a review into the drugs—saying her efforts were vetoed by Labor every time.
“I have lost count of how many times I’ve called for a Senate inquiry into the horrific medical experiments being performed on Australian children under the guise of ’transgender healthcare,’” she said on X.
“Puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, irreversible surgeries, this is child abuse, plain and simple.
“And every time I demanded a review, Labor’s response was to abuse, belittle, and insult, not just me, but every Australian who dared to speak the truth.”
Hanson said those who feared the used of gender medications on children were proven right.
“The only review that should take place now is into how they ever allowed this to happen in the first place. And it must give a voice to the children and parents who fell victim to the Albanese Labor government’s gross negligence.
“We need an immediate ban on these barbaric and experimental gender treatments for children under 18. No more excuses. No more delays.”
