Australian government announces inquiry into puberty blockers, treatment of children with gender dysphoria

The federal government has announced it will hold an inquiry into the safety of puberty blockers and treatment for children who want to change genders.

The safety and effectiveness of puberty blockers for treating children with gender dysphoria will be investigated as part of a landmark review, the Federal Government has announced.

Health Minister Mark Butler said a medical inquiry will study the use of puberty blockers and report back with interim advice by the middle of next year.

The review will also see Australia’s peak medical body, the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) develop national guidelines, in place of state guidelines, on the best way to treat children who want to change gender.

Prescribing puberty blockers for children has become an increasingly controversial issue following a UK review by Dr Hilary Cass, who described them in her final report as “powerful drugs with unproven benefits and significant risks”.

Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler holds a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

In December the UK’s Labour government banned the use of puberty blockers for under-18s with gender dysphoria, except for use in clinical trials, following advice from medical experts. US President Donald Trump signed an executive order restricting gender transitions for anyone younger than 19.

This week former prime minister Tony Abbott was among more than 100 public figures to sign an open letter demanding the government hold an urgent national inquiry into gender treatments for children.

The letter called for a pause on all medical gender transitions for children and young people until an independent Australian inquiry was complete.

“This is a potential public health disaster of generational significance demanding an independent public inquiry,” the letter said.

The trans community and supporting family members protest the State Government's pause on gender therapy including puberty blockers and hormone treatments. Wendy Ramsey led the rally on Wednesday, January 30, chanting "trans rights are human rights." Picture: Arun Singh Mann

The Queensland LNP government paused hormone treatments for new patients under 18 on Tuesday after claims children as young as 12 were being prescribed puberty blockers without proper medical support or parental consent.

Gender affirming experts, health bodies and LGBTIQ+ groups who support the use of puberty blockers have cautiously welcomed the government’s announcement but said the process must be free of political interference and not block continued care across the country.

Equality Australia CEO Anna Brown said: “We need to support trans young people based on the best available evidence – not on politics.

“This issue should never be an ideological debate or a political football.”

It is not known whether the use of puberty blockers will be paused while the NHMRC inquiry takes place.

Mr Butler said when announcing the review that it is “imperative there is community confidence that Australian children, adolescents and their families are receiving the most appropriate care”.