Comments made by Prime Minister Scott Morrison during the first leaders debate of the 2022 Federal Election that he and his wife were “blessed” that their children didn’t have disabilities sparked a backlash from community representatives and federal politicians. The Prime Minister’s comments were made in response to a question from a mother of a son with autism who was concerned about cuts to NDIS funding. Mr Morrison replied:

Activists around the world are clearly targeting both professional bodies and legislatures as a means of lending authority to their preferred, psychology-free “affirmation only” approach to the treatment of young people with gender dysphoria. The recent decision by the UK government to exclude “gender identity” from its proposed new “conversion therapy” legislation, should prompt a reconsideration of similar legislation that has already been enacted in Australia. It becomes a matter of some urgency that we establish whether and to what extent peak bodies and politicians are responding to an activist wish list at the expense of scientifically supported and proven professional best practice.  

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) has released its first position statement on gender dysphoria, titled “Recognising and addressing the mental health needs of people experiencing gender dysphoria/gender incongruence”.

If you haven’t heard the name Keira Bell by now, you should have.