Mother challenges legality of Queensland Health puberty blocker freeze in Supreme CourtJBy Janelle MilesBy Kate McKennaEBy Emma PollardTopic:Courts1h ago1 hours agoWed 7 May 2025 at 6:37amThe mother of a patient on the cusp of starting puberty blockers has launched the legal action. (ABC News: Lucas Hill)abc.net.au/news/qld-puberty-blocker-freeze-challenged-in-supreme-court/105263204Link copiedShareShare articleThe mother of a transgender teenager has launched a legal challenge to the Crisafulli government's freeze on public access to hormone treatments for children with gender dysphoria, claiming it is unlawful.Her lawyers say the legal action alleges Queensland Health's Director-General David Rosengren improperly exercised his power when he issued a directive suspending the treatments, including puberty blockers, in late January.If you or anyone you know needs help:Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467Lifeline on 13 11 14Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support line 13YARN on 13 92 76Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636Headspace on 1800 650 890ReachOut at au.reachout.comMensLine Australia on 1300 789 978The LGBTI Legal Service, a not-for-profit community legal centre, has made the application for a judicial review in the Queensland Supreme Court on behalf of the mother, whose name and that of her daughter have been suppressed by an order of the court.The mother's solicitor Matilda Alexander said the action claimed the directive was an improper exercise of power under the Hospital and Health Board Act."It's not a challenge of whether or not the decision was fair or had merit, it's a challenge of whether or not the decision was made lawfully."There is a requirement for consultation. The application questions whether or not that procedure was correctly followed," Ms Alexander said.Rosengren ordered to state reasonsLast month, the woman successfully obtained an order in the court to force Dr Rosengren to provide her with a statement of reasons for the freeze.In the statement of reasons obtained by the ABC, Dr Rosengren said he met with health service chief executives on a Teams call to consult on the directive from 10am on January 28 — the same morning Health Minister Tim Nicholls announced it to the public at a news conference.At the news conference, Mr Nicholls cited fears that 17 young patients of the Cairns Sexual Health Service received hormone therapy that "may not align with the accepted Australian treatment guidelines" and recent restrictions introduced overseas.Dr David Rosengren was compelled by the court to provide his statement of reasons for the freeze. (ABC News: Mark Leonardi)In his written reasons for the directive, Dr Rosengren said that in early December, he was notified of a clinical governance issue at the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service which "indicated a paediatric gender clinic had been established without relevant approvals".He said he was also made aware of concerns that children within the Cairns clinic had received puberty blockers and cross sex hormones for gender dysphoria outside the Queensland Children's gender Service endorsed guidelines.Queensland Health Minister Tim Nicholls announced the freeze on January 28. (AAP: Darren England)In mid-January, Mr Nicholls requested Queensland Health prepare a cabinet submission, which made 14 recommendations. On January 21, Dr Rosengren instructed department staff to prepare the health service directive.Cass review referencedDetails of the recommendations, the "emerging issues" Queensland Health relied on to draft the Cabinet submission, and the outcome of Cabinet deliberations on those recommendations have all been redacted from his statement of reasons.Mother of trans teen takes legal action over puberty blocker freezePhoto shows A mother looking away from the camera, over to the other side of Brisbane River.The mother of a trans teenager has successfully taken the first step in legal action against Queensland Health's director-general over the state's freeze on puberty blockers.However, Dr Rosengren said he considered a draft human rights compatibility assessment on the parameters of the health service directive before it was made.That assessment, attached to his statement of reasons, relies heavily on the controversial UK Cass Review into gender identity services for children and young people in England."It could be argued that preventing access to stage 1 and stage 2 (hormone) treatment may cause emotional distress and an increased risk of suicide," the assessment said."However, it should be emphasised that the decision is only to pause delivery of that treatment and will not affect any children or adolescents who are already receiving that treatment."Further, the recent Cass Review in the UK found that the evidence does not support a conclusion that hormone treatment reduced the elevated risk of suicide."Dr Rosengren's health directive has attracted concern from medical groups, including the Australian Professional Association for Trans Health, the Australian Medical Association Queensland, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists.But some psychiatrists who are critical of paediatric gender-affirming services in Australia are supportive of the government's action.In a statement, a Queensland Health spokesperson said the department was "aware of the application filed"."As the matter is before the Supreme Court it would be inappropriate to make any further comment," the spokesperson said.Posted 1h ago1 hours agoWed 7 May 2025 at 6:37amShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Top StoriesGreens leaderless as Adam Bandt projected to lose in MelbourneTopic:Australian GreensPhoto shows Bandt sits with his hand on his chin.Wilson takes parting shot at Daniel in a teary victory speechTopic:ElectionsPhoto shows A man in a grey jacket and white collared shirt smiles in front of a crowd dressed in blue shirts that say "Tim Wilson".Peter Dutton lands in Canberra as Coalition MPs divide on nuclear policyLIVEPhoto shows Peter Dutton walks through an airport with microphones and cameras surrounding him.Multiple fatalities after retaliatory strikes between India and Pakistan, officials sayLIVEPhoto shows A police officer and rescue workers stand near the wreckage of a building hit in a suspected missile attack.Doctor gave blunt warning to Erin Patterson over mushroom poisoning risk, court hearsTopic:CourtsPhoto shows A sketch of Erin Patterson wearing a blue jumper and thin framed black glasses with her hair tied back. 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