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Queensland’s government has announced an immediate ban on hormone treatments for new patients under 18 through the public health system, pending an independent external review of the evidence supporting puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones.

Health Minister Tim Nicholls stated that the review would involve medical experts, young people with lived experience, and their families. He also revealed that an investigation had found “apparently unauthorised provision of paediatric gender services” at the Cairns Sexual Health Service, where 17 children received hormone therapy that may not align with Australian treatment guidelines. Two separate investigations will be conducted into the service’s governance and the treatments provided.

The ban will not affect existing patients under the Queensland Children’s Gender Service, as they will continue their current treatment plans. Nicholls explained, “The pause will remain in effect until such time as the government considers and acts on the outcomes of the broader review.” Psychiatric and psychological support, counselling, and other clinically recommended interventions will still be available to young people experiencing gender dysphoria.

LGBTQ+ advocacy groups have condemned the decision, warning of its impact on trans and gender-diverse youth. Just.Equal Australia spokesperson Rodney Croome criticised the government for restricting access to what he described as “lifesaving treatments.” He argued, “Young transgender people, their families and doctors should be able to make important health decisions free from meddling by politicians.”

Eloise Brooks, CEO of the Australian Professional Association for Trans Health (AusPATH), stressed the importance of medical care based on science rather than politics. “When a young person is insistent and persistent about their gender identity and requires gender-affirming care, where do they go after that?” she asked.

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Equality Australia described Queensland as an “outlier state,” warning that the policy shift would have “catastrophic impacts” on the health and wellbeing of trans and gender-diverse youth. “This decision is at odds with expert consensus from around the world, health services in every other state and territory, and the current evidence base,” the group said in a statement.

An independent review conducted last year found that care provided at the Queensland Children’s Gender Service was safe, evidence-based, and aligned with national and international guidelines. It reported no evidence of coercion, malpractice, or inadequate mental health screening. However, Nicholls argued that this review assessed service delivery rather than the scientific basis of puberty blockers and hormone treatments.

Earlier this month, Nicholls announced an expansion of the Queensland Children’s Gender Service but later reversed the decision alongside Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie. Bleijie stated that the government would not implement the recommendations of the previous review, citing emerging international concerns about puberty blockers.

The Queensland Liberal National Party recently voted to ban puberty blockers for minors outside of clinical research trials, aligning with recommendations from the Cass Review. The Cass Review played a key role in the UK’s decision to indefinitely ban puberty blockers for transgender youth in December last year.

The Queensland government expects to review the findings of the new inquiry within 10 months before making further policy decisions.

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