Australian Health Minister Mark Butler has requested the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) to fast-track its advice on the use of puberty blockers, with guidance expected by mid-2026.
A puberty blocker is a medication that stops or delays the onset of puberty by blocking the production of oestrogen and testosterone.
Butler said the NHMRC was best placed to provide expert clinical advice during a question and answer session at the National Press Club.
The Labor Minister had already ordered a review of the “Australian Standards of Care and Treatment Guidelines for Trans and Gender Diverse children and adolescents” in January.
“I’ve asked the NHMRC to expedite some advice about the use of puberty blockers, obviously for teenagers because that is the age they take effect, or even a little earlier than adolescence, and that advice will be provided in the middle of next year,” Butler said at the National Press Club on Aug. 20.
“The NHMRC has a statutory charter to do that work; it’s done it for decades. Its capacity to do that is unparalleled.
“Given the level of debate and contest around this, I thought it was appropriate that the most esteemed body in this area in the country do that work.”
Butler said his role was to ensure the states—and ultimately parents and their children—had access to up-to-date clinical advice from the NHMRC.
Butler Says State Governments Responsible
Butler added that the delivery of gender-related health services remained a matter for state and territory governments.
“These services are all provided by state governments across the country. They are the ones who fund the services, employ the clinicians, and make these decisions, ultimately,” Butler said.
“Queensland has taken a decision about this that is different to some other states—that is their right and they’re accountable to communities for those decisions.”
Victorian upper house MP David Limbrick said Victoria should pause the use of puberty blockers, following Queensland’s lead.
“I note that Butler is distancing and saying it’s up to the states. Victoria needs to hit the brakes now,” he wrote on X.
“They’re worried that these drugs are not safe or effective and might actually be hurting kids, so Victoria is just going to continue doing it until mid next year?? This is unacceptable.”
Queensland Halts Puberty Blockers
In May, the Queensland government—the Liberal National Party—invited public submissions into an independent review of puberty blockers, led by Professor Ruth Vine, with a report due on Nov. 30.
Until then, Queensland Health has halted all stage one puberty blockers, which temporarily suppress puberty, and stage two cross-sex hormones, which induce physical changes, for people under 18 with gender dysphoria.
The directive followed allegations of puberty blockers having been administered to children as young as 12 in Cairns without parental consent.
Queensland Health Director-General Dr David Rosengren said in May that the “evidence supporting the use of these therapies is contested.”
“In addition to examining the medical evidence of using these therapies on children, it’s important to understand the impacts from a social, psychological, legal, and ethical perspective,” he said.
“It’s critical that the care we provide children is the safest it can possibly be and grounded in solid evidence.”
Petition Over Suspended Psychiatrist
Meanwhile, a petition calling for the reinstatement of Queensland child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr Jillian Spencer has gained more than 7,000 signatures.
Spencer was allegedly suspended after speaking out against the use of puberty blockers and cross sex hormones on children.
The petition, shared to X by Women’s Forum Australia on Aug. 19, claims the interventions have “no evidence of benefit” and carry risks including infertility, lack of sexual function, physical health problems, and the risk of detransition and regret.
Puberty blockers remain available in Victoria, New South Wales, Northern Territory, and the Australian Capital Territory.
