Pauline Hanson (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the following matter be referred to the Community Affairs References Committee for inquiry and report by the first sitting day in March 2023:

The use of puberty blockers in Australia, with particular reference to:

(a) the causes of the increase in rapid onset of gender dysphoria in children, including friendship groups, peer contagion, gender clinic staff and social media;

(b) the experiences of parents of young people who have been prescribed puberty blockers, including their experience with the medical system;

(c) the experiences of young people who have been prescribed puberty blockers, including their experience with the medical system;

(d) the medical oversight of general practitioners prescribing puberty blockers;

(e) the results of longitudinal studies of young people prescribed puberty blockers;

(f) whether the decision of the England and Wales High Court in Bell v Tavistock [2020] EWHC 3274, which held that it was highly unlikely that a child under the age of 16 could give consent to being prescribed puberty blockers, should apply in Australia;

(g) whether puberty blockers are reversible as claimed;

(h) whether affirming gender dysphoria as a primary condition is always helpful in the absence of investigating prior trauma, mental illness and other conditions; and

(i) any other related matters.

Janet Rice (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Janet Rice (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Greens will not be supporting this referral. First up, I want trans and gender diverse people, especially young people, to know: we see you, we hear you and you are loved, and you deserve to feel safe and supported. Instead, Senator Hanson is using you as a political football to manufacture outrage. The Royal Australian College of Physicians gave advice in 2020 about whether there was a need for an inquiry into the care and treatment of trans and gender diverse children and young people. They found a national inquiry would only harm vulnerable young people. They supported the current guidelines for care and found that limiting health care for such a vulnerable group would be unethical, and, further, that gender-affirming health care for trans and gender diverse people should be a national priority. So, no, we do not need such a Senate inquiry.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that business of the Senate notice of motion No. 3 in the name of Senator Hanson be agreed to.