Northern Territory AIDS and Hepatitis Council (NTAHC) responds to the CLP’s ban on puberty blockers and gender-affirming hormones for young people.
On Sunday morning, NT Health Minister Steve Edgington announced public health access to the gender-affirming treatments would “cease” for under 18’s.
He claimed the decision was in the interests of “child safety” and followed a similar ban in Queensland.
“The Territory’s public health focus will remain on adolescent mental health services,” he said in a statement.
“In other places, cases have emerged where children as young as 12 were treated outside clinical guidelines.”
He said that this included instances with “an absence of parental consent.”
“Territory kids deserve to grow up free from these dangerous, ideologically driven practices with irreversible consequences.”
NT Health Minister Steve Edgington. Image: Facebook‘This sends a clear and harmful message’
Edgington’s announcement was a backflip from a previous statement made in March.
He was responding to an Australian Christian Lobby petition, saying no changes to gender-affirming care were considered.
His announcement Sunday came under immediate criticism.
“The Country Liberal Party has continued to reduce access to essential healthcare services across the Northern Territory,” said NTAHC.
“Including moving to ban gender-affirming medical care for trans and gender-diverse young people,”
“Despite earlier commitments by the Health Minister to follow expert national guidance and evidence-based clinical frameworks, this decision represents a significant backtrack.”
“The Government has justified the change by citing concerns about ‘ideologically driven practices’, rather than relying on established medical expertise.
“Until now, the Northern Territory had robust, evidence-informed procedures in place to support young people, alongside their families and carers, to access hormones as part of holistic, clinician-led gender-affirming care.
“NTAHC is deeply concerned about the impact of these messages on young trans and gender-diverse people, who are already at a significantly higher risk of suicide and self-harm.
“The Finocchiaro Government’s decision sends a clear and harmful message that the health and well-being of trans and gender-diverse people do not matter.”
‘Moral panic masquerading as public safety’
Australian Medical Association NT president John Zorbas told the ABC the announcement 2as “moral panic masquerading as public safety”.
“We are witnessing a dangerous precedent where this government wants to enter the examination room, invade your privacy, and tell you what you can and cannot do with your own health care,” he said.
“There is a theoretical, unproven risk that puberty blockers could potentially reduce long-term bone density,” he said.
“Every decision carries risk and benefit.
“This is managed for each individual with doctors providing the best evidence to patients to inform the best decision for them and their individual circumstances.”
‘Puberty blockers are not experimental or reckless treatments’
A young gender-diverse person who accesses NTAHC’s youth service shared the following statement after reading the announcement:
“As a gender-diverse person myself, hearing announcements like this lands heavily.”
“For many young people, puberty blockers are not about rushing decisions. They are about time, breathing room, and safety.
“They are accessed through careful, clinician-led processes and exist to reduce distress during an already vulnerable time in a young person’s life.”
NTAHC, which supports young people every day, said they were “deeply concerned by the CLP’s latest decision.”
“Puberty blockers are not experimental or reckless treatments.”
“They are well-established, closely monitored, and used internationally to support young people’s wellbeing and safety.”
Young Territorians and families affected by the announcement can reach out for support via NTAHC services, LGBTI Living Well, and The Spot.
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National guidelines are also in development
The Queensland Government confirmed its puberty blocker pause will continue until at least 2031.
They will review the desciion upon the completion of a (yet to begin) trial in the UK.
Federal Health Minister Mark Butler asked the NHMRC to develop the new guidelines for the care of children with gender dysphoria.
The request was made in January.
Butler said interim advice on the use of puberty blockers would be completed by mid-2026.
Support and help are available from QLife on 1800 184 527 or online at QLife.org.au.
And Lifeline on 13 11 14, Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, or beyondblue on 1300 22 4636.
For the latest LGBTIQA+ Sister Girl and Brother Boy news, entertainment, and community stories in Australia, visit qnews.com.au. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
