THE HON MARK DREYFUS QC MP
SHADOW ATTORNEY-GENERAL
SHADOW MINISTER FOR NATIONAL SECURITY
MEMBER FOR ISAACS
THE HON CATHERINE KING MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR HEALTH AND MEDICARE
MEMBER FOR BALLARAT
TERRI BUTLER MP
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR PREVENTING FAMILY VIOLENCE
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR UNIVERSITIES
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR EQUALITY
MEMBER FOR GRIFFITH
GRAHAM PERRETT MP
CO-CONVENOR OF THE PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDS OF LGBTIQ AUSTRALIANS
MEMBER FOR MORETON
LABOR WELCOMES FAMILY COURT DECISION ON TRANSGENDER TEENAGERS
The Full Court of the Family Court has today decided that transgender teenagers will no longer be required to go through the expensive and lengthy process of seeking court approval for stage two hormone treatment.
This is welcome news to the LGBTIQ community, the legal community and medical professionals. Families of transgender teenagers have been put through considerable expense and wasted precious time seeking the courts approval when the child, parents and doctors all agreed that stage two treatment is the best step.
Critically, research has found that the lengthy process which comes from having the court involved in these decisions causes significant psychological distress to the young people involved.
Labor welcomes that this decision will bring Australia in line with the rest of the world - Australia was the only country in the world to still require court approval for stage two hormone treatment.
We would particularly like to congratulate advocates and their supporters for this win this decision would not have happened without the persistence and dedication of advocates fighting for change.
We are disappointed that the Federal Government didn't show courage and progress change on this issue sooner.
The Full Court noted in its judgement that:-
it is disappointing that the call for legislative intervention following Re Jamie went unheeded.
The Federal Government should have acted on this. It should not have been the courts job.
However, we are pleased to see today's result additional good news in what has already been a great week for the LGBTIQ community in Australia.
THURSDAY, 30 NOVEMBER 2017
