Queensland Senator Pauline Hanson has just one question in mind as she continues to push for a Senate Inquiry into the use of puberty blockers: “ Why won’t they listen?”
“For the fifth time, I’ve stood in the Senate and called for an inquiry into the experimental use of puberty blockers on vulnerable children,” Hanson said on X, formerly Twitter, after her latest attempt at securing an inquiry was shot down.
“Every single time I have asked for an inquiry, it’s been because new evidence has come to light showing the risks and harm these treatments pose to kids,” the One Nation leader said.
“This time, even New Zealand has joined the growing list of countries, including the UK, Finland, and Sweden, raising the alarm.”
According to New Zealand studies, there is evidence puberty blockers can impact bone health, height, and cardiometabolic health.
Some studies have shown a change in blood pressure, lipids, and body composition in children given the medications. However, the Health Ministry also stressed that the quality of current research was poor.
Meanwhile, Denmark began limiting the use of puberty blockers in youngsters in 2023.
“While other nations are waking up, the Albanese Labor government and the Greens remain asleep at the wheel, refusing to act,” Hanson said.
“They claim denying an inquiry ‘protects’ children, but the reality is their negligence is causing real harm.
“The evidence clearly shows these experimental treatments and drugs are dangerous, poorly supported by research, and that Australian safeguards lag far behind international standards.”
Hanson also pushed for an inquiry into “Australia’s failure to adopt evidence-based safeguards for the use of puberty blockers in gender dysphoric adolescents.”
The senator is also seeking an inquiry into the lack of regulation, the absence of long-term data, the government’s role in ensuring ethical standards, and the stifling of dissenting medical and scientific views in public and policy debates on gender-affirming treatments.
Hanson previously called for an inquiry into the marked increase in Australian children being treated for gender dysphoria.
In 2014, 211 young people were being treated for gender dysphoria in Australia, but by 2021, that number had boomed to 2,000 adolescents.
