Puberty Blockers

The Hon. S.L. GAME (14:45): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before directing a question to the Attorney-General, representing the Minister for Health, regarding the ongoing availability of puberty blockers for children in South Australia.

Leave granted.

The Hon. S.L. GAME: In January 2025, a Queensland Health service directive banned the prescription of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones to minors under 18. Last year, Britain permanently banned puberty blockers for under 18s following a temporary block put in place in May 2024, with Britain's Commission on Human Medicines declaring the drugs an unacceptable safety risk to children.

Here in South Australia, it was reported last year by Channel 7 that children as young as three years old are being referred to gender diversity clinics and, in addition, puberty blockers remain available to children in South Australia. My questions to the Attorney-General, representing the Minister for Health, are:

1. Given the increased instances of puberty blockers being banned for under 18s based on the evidence these treatments are harmful and these therapies could have lifelong consequences, including infertility, blood clots and brain development issues, why is the Malinauskas government not also imposing a ban?

2. Will the Malinauskas government concede that, by continuing to give South Australian children access to puberty blockers, it is effectively endorsing a practice that has needlessly and recklessly ruined the lives of young people?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector, Special Minister of State) (14:47): I thank the honourable member for her question. I would be happy to pass that on and bring back a reply.