Newsroom
“COMMON SENSE PREVAILS” – KNUTH BACKS FAMILY COURT RULING AS WIN FOR CHILDREN, SLAMS QLD’S GENDER MODEL
April 11, 2025
State Member for Hill Shane Knuth has applauded the Federal Family Court’s landmark decision in the bombshell case reported by the Courier Mail awarding a father sole custody of his son, after his mother supported him using puberty blockers, declaring it a long-overdue return to reason in a debate that has been hijacked by ideology.
The ruling rejected a mother’s application to transition her son into a girl, with the judge condemning Australia’s national guidelines for paediatric gender-affirming care.
The judge ruled the case was not about “the transgender cause,” but instead about protecting a child, a sentiment Knuth says should have been the guiding principle from the beginning.
“Finally, we are seeing common sense prevail. This decision puts the rights and welfare of the child first, not politics and not ideology,” Mr Knuth said.
The judge rightly recognised that children deserve the right to grow and develop without being locked into irreversible treatments pushed by a dangerous affirmation model.”
Mr Knuth said the Family Court’s finding reflects the very same concerns he has been raising in Queensland Parliament, including tabling a petition signed by nearly 8,000 Queenslanders, calling for the suspension of all gender transitioning treatments for minors and an independent inquiry into practices inside Queensland gender clinics.
“This is not about hate, it’s about halting harmful, experimental treatments and allowing children to just be children. That’s what this boy’s father pleaded for - let him be a kid.” Mr Knuth said.
“No child should be set on a path of puberty blockers and hormones before they can even grasp what that means. It’s not compassionate. It’s reckless & destructive.”
Mr Knuth said senior child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr Jillian Spencer, who was stood down from Queensland Health was extremely brave for raising serious internal concerns about gender treatments occurring within the department.
“Dr Spencer lost her job and copped disgraceful abuse for speaking out about dangerous practices that the previous Queensland Government didn’t want exposed. She is a hero for standing up for children when others stayed silent,” Mr Knuth said.
Mr Knuth also highlighted the Cass Review - the landmark UK report released in 2024 that called for major restrictions on gender-affirming treatments for children and was scathing in its assessment of the science behind such practices.
“The Cass Review was a game-changer, clearly stating there is no solid evidence backing these medical interventions for kids. The UK Government acted immediately on the report however, the previous Queensland Government ignored it - because truth and evidence didn’t suit their agenda.”
The judge in the Family Court case said the decision was “about one child, not about the transgender cause,” adding that at this stage of life, “all options should be left open,” and that the risks of medical intervention were simply too high.
“This is exactly what I have said all along - let’s keep all options open for young people without locking them into life-altering treatments that may cause irreversible harm,” Mr Knuth said.
“This ruling is a huge win for children, families and medical professionals who have had the courage to speak up. The tide is turning, and the KAP will keep fighting to ensure Queensland’s gender affirmation model is torn down before more damage is done.”