The Queensland Liberal National Party (LNP) government will pause the extension of gender services in the state, following a push in the opposite direction by the previous government.
It also claimed that the care provided by the state’s gender services was “safe” and “evidence-based.”
Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie advised the government would halt “any further delivery” on the recommendations contained within this report.
“I want to make it abundantly clear that the Liberal National Party (LNP) government in Opposition expressed concern about the expansion by the former Labor government about children’s gender services in Queensland,” he said.
“We do not support the expansion of gender services for children in Queensland.”
Health Minister Tim Nicholls said the LNP remained worried about puberty blockers in light of international evidence.
“The concerns that have been raised and were raised by me in debate in parliament back in 2023 about the delivery of the children’s gender service, and particularly the use of puberty blockers, and we remain very concerned about the use of those puberty blockers, particularly in light of evidence that’s coming in from around the world,” he said.
What Else Was in the Report?
The Queensland Children’s Gender Service External Clinical Service Evaluation (pdf), published in July 2024, recommended an “immediate staffing increase” to meet the needs of children on the wait list for gender care.It also suggested Queensland establish a statewide network to provide services to children and adolescents with “diverse gender experiences.”
Further, it suggested considering specialised credentialling for doctors practising in gender services, along with long term investment in education and research to “increase health worker expertise and understanding of gender diversity and gender dysphoria.”
Fentiman welcomed the findings of the report. At the time, she said the care provided by the Queensland Children’s gender service was “life-changing.”
“Queensland is home to a proud and vibrant trans and gender diverse community, and the Miles government is committed to ensuring that they have access to safe, responsive, contemporary healthcare services,” she said in July 2024.
“I have heard first-hand from families who have praised the service and expressed how valuable this safe haven is for them and their children.”
Reaction to LNP Announcement
Child and adolescent psychiatrist Jillian Spencer, who was removed from clinical duties at the Queensland Children’s Hospital in 2023 for speaking out against gender treatments, recommended the gender clinic be decommissioned.“The next step is to decommission the gender clinic ... We also need to ban puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and gender surgery for minors,” she said on X.
“Obviously puberty blockers should be banned because they prevent the child from recovering from gender distress.”
Spencer has submitted a nomination to run for president of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP).
Meanwhile, psychiatric fellow Andrew Amos applauded the courage of Queensland politicians protecting kids from gender services.
“I condemn the cowards in my profession who refuse to recognise that transgenderism is a form of mental illness, putting careers above patients,” he said.
CEO of Women’s Forum Australia Rachael Wong described the update as “encouraging.”
“Next step: Stop the prescription of puberty blockers immediately in line with international developments and hold a nationwide inquiry into these harmful practices,” she said.
Women’s Forum Australia head of advocacy Stephanie Bastiaan said it was wonderful to “finally see some strong leadership on this issue.”
“Look forward to seeing this evolve,” she said.
