Health Minister still reviewing report on child gender services, as more than 400 sign petition

7 hours ago 2

Queensland’s health minister says he is still considering the findings of a review into the state’s publicly funded gender health services, as an open letter signed by more than 400 signatories called on the government to reinstate healthcare for transgender children.

The Crisafulli government commissioned the review, led by Victoria’s former chief psychiatrist Professor Ruth Vine, in January after issuing an immediate pause on the use of puberty blockers and hormone therapies for children with gender dysphoria.

Vine’s report was completed and delivered to Queensland Health director-general Dr David Rosengren on November 30, with Nicholls confirming he had received the report the following day.

Trans advocates and supporters addressed media outside Brisbane’s Supreme Court after a judge ruled the government’s ban on gender-services in January was unlawful.

On Sunday, Nicholls said he was only about 200 pages into the lengthy report, which would be considered by cabinet before any further action.

“As you can imagine, it’s quite a voluminous report, and it’ll be the subject of advice from the department, and also the government’s policy considerations about it,” Nicholls said.

“Once my [cabinet] colleagues have had a chance to consider it as well, then we’ll be making further announcements about it.”

It comes an open letter signed by more than 400 signatories, including 150 medical professionals, called on the Queensland government to reinstate public healthcare for transgender children, following a court ruling that found the ban on gender services was unlawful and did not follow proper procedures.

In the letter, a coalition of health and medical professionals, community organisations and legal experts expressed “deep dismay” at the ongoing decision to deny gender services to young trans people, which they said is “essential and life-saving healthcare”.

“Queensland now stands alone as the only state removing this vital support from young people – a decision that defies expert medical consensus, global guidelines, community expectations and the government’s own human rights obligations,” the letter stated.

Health Minister Tim Nicholls said he was still working his way through the Vine Report on Sunday.

“Denying access to gender affirmation will cause immeasurable damage to those young people who need it, increasing the risk of depression, anxiety, self-harm and suicide.”

The letter referenced a review conducted by the former Labor government last year that found gender-affirming care was safe and effective and delivered to a high standard at the Queensland Children’s Gender Service, and criticised the health minister for exercising powers to reinstate the ban after the Supreme Court ruling.

“In a landmark decision, the Queensland Supreme Court ruled that the government’s Health Services Directive to enact the ban was unlawful.

“To immediately reinstate the ban under a different power ignores the clear wishes of community and all credible medical evidence.

“We urge the Queensland Government to immediately reverse this dangerous and damaging ban in accordance with the best interests of children, wishes of parents, the evidence of experts, and the rule of law.”

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