Community Affairs References Committee

The majority voted against a motion introduced by Queensland Senator Malcolm Roberts (One Nation), which means it failed.

Rebellion

The Liberal Party was split on this vote, with the following senators voting "no" against the majority of their colleagues: NSW Senators Andrew Bragg and Maria Kovacic, Tasmanian Senator Richard Colbeck, Victorian Senator Jane Hume and South Australian Senators Andrew McLachlan and Anne Ruston.

Senator Hume explained her opposition:

I oppose the motion for the simple reason that I do not believe that a Senate committee is the appropriate place for the discussion to take place at this time in the absence of that interim advice from the NHMRC [i.e., the National Health and Medical Research Council].

Motion text

That the following matter be referred to the Community Affairs References Committee for inquiry and report by 2 November 2026:

The suitability of current Commonwealth Government guidelines regarding gender dysphoria for minors, with particular reference to:

(a) the science behind medical intervention;

(b) alternative treatments including counselling;

(c) international trends in treatment;

(d) lived experience of transitioners;

(e) other reviews that may be underway or recently completed; and

(f) any other related matters.