Community Affairs References Committee

Pauline Hanson

I move:

That the following matter be referred to the Community Affairs References Committee for inquiry and report by 7 October 2024:

The practice and governance surrounding the prescription of puberty blockers to children in Australia, with particular reference to:

(a) the adequacy of the evidence base supporting the safety and clinical effectiveness of puberty blockers as a treatment option for children experiencing gender dysphoria, including an examination of international developments and decisions, such as the move by United Kingdom (UK) health authorities to ban the routine prescription of puberty blockers to young teenagers;

(b) the transparency and accessibility of outcome data from Australian children's hospitals and gender services on the long-term impacts of puberty blockers on children, including but not limited to brain development, bone mineral density, future fertility and sexual function, as well as mental health outcomes;

(c) the consistency of Australia's approach to the prescription of puberty blockers with international best practices and the evolving global understanding of their risks and benefits, including a comparison with policies in the UK, the Netherlands, Norway, Finland, and other countries that have recently revisited their stance on gender-affirming care;

(d) the processes and criteria used by Australian health services, including the Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne and others, in deciding to initiate puberty blocker treatment, with an emphasis on the exploration of psychological complexities and the consideration of alternative treatments;

(e) the role of professional consensus and the development of national standards of care in the absence of long-term outcome data, and the impact of these standards on clinical governance and decision-making processes;

(f) the views and experiences of patients, families, clinicians, and other stakeholders directly affected by the prescription of puberty blockers, including the adequacy of informed consent processes and the support provided to patients and families;

(g) the response of Australian medical bodies and health departments to international critiques and recommendations regarding puberty blockers and gender-affirming care;

(h) the impact of social transition as the beginning of the child gender-affirmation process, including pressures on educators and health professionals to affirm preferred pronouns and identities, with a focus on the approach's potential harm and the need for reconsideration; and

(i) any related matters.

Sue Lines

The question is that business of the Senate notice of motion No. 1, standing in the name of Senator Hanson, be agreed to.