It is the responsibility of government to protect our most vulnerable and make decisions based on their welfare both now and for the years ahead.

While the long-term impact of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormone therapy in children is still largely unknown, there is increasing evidence of potential permanent side effects.

These can include infertility, obesity, heart and liver disease, blood clots, changes in cognition, reduced bone density, and sexual dysfunction.

Currently, puberty blockers are available on the PBS for the treatment of certain cancers (i.e. breast and ovarian cancer) and precocious puberty.

In their use for gender affirming therapies, these drugs are being used “off-label”, meaning they have not been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for use as treatment for gender dysphoria.

There are currently more than 100 children and adolescents being treated at Perth Children’s Hospital with either puberty blockers or cross-sex hormones, with the youngest aged 11.

With a significant increase in children across WA accessing these drugs, it is important these drugs are understood and properly regulated.

The recent release of the UK’s Cass Review highlighted these concerns and recommended the use of these interventions for children be reviewed.

Further research and consultation are crucial.

The WA Liberals support a balanced approach.

This means supporting the health and well-being of transgender  and gender dysphoric individuals, while ensuring that interventions are based on safe medical practices, both in the short and long-term.

Studies in both the UK and Finland have also found that there was no substantiated evidence of increased rates of suicide among children and adolescents that did not receive the treatments.

Western Australians deserve to know that drug therapies available to their children are based on holistic medical advice, and are safe for kid’s long-term health.

Only a WA Liberal Government will ensure it.

The WA Liberals believe the safety and wellbeing of our children should always be a top priority.

While the use of puberty blockers, cross-sex hormone treatments, and surgical interventions for children experiencing gender dysphoria is relatively new, many countries have already banned them due to increasing evidence of long-term harm.

Many European countries do not allow access to these drugs until age 16, while others have banned the practice for minors.

For example, Sweden decided in February 2022 to halt hormone therapy for minors except in very rare cases,  the UK restricted   puberty blockers  for under 18s in May 2024, while Norway limited the use of hormonal interventions in favour of pyschosocial support.

The concerns were highlighted by the recent Cass Review, a four-year independent investigation in the UK, which pointed to some alarming impacts.

With an increase in gender reassignment interventions for children in recent years, especially for kids dealing with co-occurring mental disorders, we must ensure that these treatments are not causing irreversible, long-term damage.

Until more research is done both the mental and physical health implications, it is not appropriate to continue to allow children to access these treatments.

We cannot continue to roll the dice with our kids’ health if we do not fully understand the ongoing impacts.

A WA Liberal Government will ban the use of puberty blockers, cross-sex hormone treatments. and surgical intervention for children under the age of 16 for the purpose of gender transition, until a comprehensive review of these treatments and their suitability is undertaken.

Once the research is complete, we will review the ban based on the findings.

Protecting our kids against the potential harm from using “off-label” drugs, while evaluating the best medical future for children with gender dysphoria, is a critical step for our healthcare system.

Only the WA Liberal Party is committed to placing careful and considered research before potential harm to our state’s most vulnerable.