Queensland to push ahead with its own hormone therapy review

Queensland has vowed to continue its review into how hormone therapy is prescribed for young people, despite the federal government announcing its own review on Friday.

Last week, the Queensland government ordered public health facilities to stop offering hormone therapy to new patients with gender dysphoria while it conducted a review.

The decision was criticised by several groups, including the Queensland Human Rights Commission, and the federal government urged the review be halted while it conducted its own review.

Premier David Crisafulli said the state review would continue, despite a national one being announced this week.Credit: Brisbane Times / Matt Dennien

But on Sunday morning, Premier David Crisafulli said the Queensland review would continue.

“We took our decision based on what unfolded in Cairns,” he said, referring to concerns that a clinic may have provided unauthorised gender services to children.

“On the back of that, we’ve decided to make sure that we do do that review, and that we do it in a way that has one factor, and that is making sure that kids are safe – all kids: kids in the program and other kids.”

He said the national review would not affect Queensland’s, saying decisions in Canberra were a matter for Canberra.

On Friday, federal Health Minister Mark Butler announced a landmark review would be carried out by Australia’s peak medical research body, the National Health and Medical Research Council. The council will develop new national guidelines.

Butler said interim advice on puberty blockers would be completed by the middle of next year. The treatment was banned in December in the United Kingdom after a review found there was little scientific evidence to support it.

It came days after Queensland Health Minister Tim Nicholls said there was “widely contested international evidence” around the use of hormone therapy for young people with gender dysphoria.

The decisions have been criticised by some groups, including the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, the Australian Medical Association Queensland, and Equality Australia, who have warned that denying access to services could put young people at risk and cause immeasurable trauma.

Queensland Mental Health Commissioner Ivan Frkovic said the cessation of services created distress and uncertainty for young people and their families, and affected their mental health.

He said research indicated young trans people experienced significant discrimination and stigma, leaving them at a very high risk of poor mental health and self-harm.

“On top of this, about 60 per cent of trans young people have difficulty accessing health and mental health services, with even fewer services understanding or respecting their gender identity,” he said.

“Queensland services were already struggling to meet demand, with significant wait lists.”

Frkovic said the commission was awaiting details of Queensland’s review of services for young trans people and their families, including its terms of reference and how the commission could be involved.

“My hope is this can be resolved as a matter of urgency with a decision that is evidence-based and shows compassion for the experiences of the trans and gender-diverse community.”

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