Analysis: Overreach of ministerial powers must be called out
In a state bereft of an upper house, the health direction ordered by Tim Nicholls and exposed by the Supreme Court should concern Queenslanders, writes Hayden Johnson.
In a state bereft of an upper house, the health direction ordered by Tim Nicholls and exposed by the Supreme Court should concern Queenslanders.
The court confirmed the ban on puberty blockers was made by Mr Nicholls without proper consultation and process.
Justice Peter Callaghan declared the minister was not trying to cover up his involvement, but instead “could not have been more open about his intentions, nor more insistent on his ownership of the decision”.
Had the government directive not been challenged on behalf of a trans child, it’s likely it would remain in force.
With Queensland governments of all political colours having fewer balances than other states, the overreach of ministerial powers must be called out.
Jubilation for people considering accessing puberty blockers was short-lived.
The state government won’t release a skerrick of expert evidence to support its pause, but has instead relied on overseas analysis.
The Supreme Court’s decision slowed, momentarily, the government’s desire to end the prescription of puberty blockers and gender affirming hormones.
Mr Nicholls moved swiftly to use his ministerial powers to issue another direction pausing it.
Anything less would have caused uproar within the LNP.
Premier David Crisafulli remains desperate to avoid culture wars on ideology.
The crusade against puberty blockers, coupled with Minister Fiona Simpson’s removal of Labor’s “inclusive” definition of a woman, doesn’t help.
While the LNP government won’t lose bark over either, they’re not the kitchen table issues Mr Crisafulli wants to focus on.
Mr Nicholls’ response to the Supreme Court’s decision on puberty blockers was almost as quick as his appearance in front of journalists to explain it.
Mr Nicholls insisted he would consider issuing a written direction to hospital and health services to enforce the puberty blocker ban.
Perhaps, given the previous openness about his intentions, this consideration was always going to be brief.
Originally published as Analysis: Overreach of ministerial powers must be called out
