MEDIA STATEMENT: Independent lead reviewer appointed to examine gender hormone therapy 

Independent lead reviewer appointed to examine paediatric gender hormone therapy 

• Professor Ruth Vine has been appointed to lead an independent review of the evidence for using Stage 1 (puberty suppression) and Stage 2 (gender-affirming) hormone therapies in paediatric gender services.
• Professor Vine has served as Australia’s first Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Mental Health and Victoria’s Chief Psychiatrist.
• The final report of the review is due by 30 November 2025.
• Pause on children and adolescents being prescribed Stage 1 and Stage 2 hormone therapies in all Queensland Health facilities will remain until the report has been completed and its findings considered. 

The Crisafulli Government has appointed one of Australia’s most respected psychiatrists to lead an independent review of Stage 1 and Stage 2 hormone therapies to treat children with gender dysphoria in Queensland. 

Professor Ruth Vine will examine the evidence for using puberty suppression (Stage 1) and gender-affirming (Stage 2) hormone therapy for children with gender dysphoria in Queensland Health facilities. 

The decision to conduct the independent and robust review was announced in January following the tightening of regulations around prescribing hormone therapy to children and adolescents in several European countries and the United Kingdom.  

A final report will be submitted to Queensland Health Director-General Dr David Rosengren by 30 November 2025. 

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls said the independent review would ensure only the safest and most appropriate care was provided for young people experiencing gender dysphoria.  

“There is contested evidence surrounding the benefits of Stage 1 and Stage 2 hormone therapies for children with gender dysphoria,” Minister Nicholls said.  

“This evidence, along with concerns raised about paediatric gender treatments provided by the Cairns Sexual Health Service, led to the decision to undertake an independent review, supported by a panel of clinical, legal and ethical experts, to examine the evidence for using Stage 1 and Stage 2 hormone therapies in paediatric gender services.  

“This includes looking at the quality and outcomes of available medical and clinical evidence, as well as ethical considerations to inform government policy."

Minister Nicholls said Professor Vine’s significant experience meant she was ideally placed to lead the independent review. 

“Professor Vine has more than 25 years’ experience as a psychiatrist with a strong record of providing dedicated service to communities across the country, most notably as Victoria’s Chief Psychiatrist and as Australia’s first Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Mental Health in 2020,” he said.  

“The review will consider input from a wide range of stakeholders, including clinicians and other relevant professionals and, of course, young people and their families.  

“This includes giving stakeholders the opportunity to make written submissions on matters relevant to the review.” 

Minister Nicholls said the commencement of the review did not change restrictions on Stage 1 and Stage 2 hormone therapies which had been in place since 28 January for children and adolescents in all Queensland Health facilities.  

“The pause will continue for new patients until the review has been completed, and its ad considered, but it does not apply to patients who have already commenced treatment,” he said.  

“The Queensland Children’s Gender Clinic will continue to offer other services including psychiatric and psychological support, counselling and other clinically recommended medical interventions.” 

ENDS 

MEDIA CONTACT: David McLachlan 0428 716 171 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Independent review of Stage 1 and Stage 2 hormone therapies in Queensland’s public paediatric gender services | Queensland Health