Newsroom

January 28, 2025

Shane Knuth, State Member for Hill, has renewed his call for a comprehensive, statewide review of gender therapy practices, including the controversial Gender Affirmation model currently used by Queensland Health.

Knuth has been a long time, vocal critic of the treatment of Gender dysphoria, the use puberty blockers and the gender affirmation model by Queensland Health.

His renewed call comes in the wake of the Queensland Health Minister’s announcement of an investigation into paediatric gender health services in Cairns, amid growing concerns surrounding the appropriateness and safety of the treatment model for children and adolescents experiencing gender dysphoria.

"I congratulate the Minister for taking action and urge him to consult with those who have been raising these concerns about gender dysphoria treatment by Queensland Health for some time, such as Dr Jillian Spencer.

The previous Government ignored calls for a full independent review into gender dysphoria treatment and the use of the affirmation model by Queensland Health across the state, despite significant evidence against its use and the situation in Cairns is the result of that ignorance."

Knuth's call is supported by the concerns of respected psychiatrist Dr. Jillian Spencer, who has been vocal about the need for a thorough reassessment of the Gender Affirmation model.

Dr. Spencer has for years, raised serious concerns about the long-term impacts of medical interventions, such as hormone therapy and surgeries, especially for young people who may not fully understand the implications of these decisions.

A leading authority in psychiatry, Dr. Spencer has repeatedly expressed concerns about the lack of comprehensive psychological evaluations before initiating gender-affirming treatments.

Dr. Spencer has highlighted the risks of introducing irreversible medical treatments like hormones and surgeries without fully exploring a patient’s mental health history or ensuring that they have the appropriate psychological support to navigate such life-altering decisions.

"I don't believe any child should be placed on puberty blockers or cross sex hormones. They need to go through adolescence, because that is how 80-95% of children with gender distress will recover – going through the full course of adolescence.

The current speed at which gender-affirming treatments are being prescribed is deeply worrying,” Dr. Spencer said.

“In many cases, we are not seeing thorough mental health assessments before medical interventions are even considered.

This could lead to young people making decisions that they may later regret, especially if they are dealing with other mental health issues that haven’t been adequately addressed.”

Knuth echoed these concerns, stressing the importance of mental health evaluations as part of a holistic approach to gender therapy.

He pointed out that vulnerable young people, particularly those experiencing mental health challenges, may be more susceptible to rushing into irreversible treatments without fully understanding the consequences.

“The states health system must ensure that any treatment for gender dysphoria is provided with the utmost care, and that young people have access to a full range of psychological support and counselling. Puberty blockers and hormone treatments should not be administered to children under 18,” Knuth said.

Knuth has urged the Health Minister to ensure that any recommendations coming from the current investigation and clinical review prioritizes the safety, health, and long-term well-being of young people across the state.

"A thorough review of Queensland Health’s Gender Affirmation model is needed to ensure we are not rushing vulnerable individuals into irreversible decisions.

This will ensure a responsible, evidence-based approach to gender therapy, putting the mental health and well-being of young Queenslanders first.

This is about safeguarding the future of young Queenslanders and making sure that decisions regarding gender therapy are made with careful, thoughtful consideration,” Knuth concluded.