However,The Age has confirmed that the Liberals will not oppose Deeming’s upper house motion,avoiding the possibility of MPs from the same party opposing each other.
Four MPs,speaking on the condition of anonymity to detail private discussions,said this was partly because the motion had been worded carefully.
Still,it is not expected to be supported by Labor,the Greens,Legalise Cannabis or the Animal Justice Party – meaning it will not have the votes needed to pass.
Guests at Tuesday’s function at parliament were encouraged to follow Deeming’s motion when it goes to a vote on Wednesday and to lobby their local members to support it.
It calls on the parliament to recognise that “medical affirmation of gender dysphoric children and adolescents is currently one of the most controversial areas of medicine” and that there was not a consensus about the process.
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If successful,it would require a parliamentary committee to investigate whether this type of treatment was appropriate for children and adolescents.
Gender-affirming care can refer to a range of medical or therapeutic practices that support a person embracing a different gender identity to what they were born with. Major procedures such as surgery or hormone therapy cannot be approved without parental consent or a Family Court order,but critics want tougher regulations or a total ban on these and other treatments for anyone under 18.
Speaking at Deeming’s event on Tuesday,western Victorian Liberal MP Bev McArthur said she hoped the motion would secure enough crossbench support to pass. She has sponsored a petition calling for a similar inquiry to the one outlined in the motion.
“I don’t know where the government will be,if they’re sensible,they will stay very quiet and let it go through on the voices,” McArthur said,referring to a process in which motions can pass without requiring a full vote.
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Victorian Greens health spokeswoman Dr Sarah Mansfield said that evidence showed supportive gender-affirming care during childhood and adolescence reduced harm for trans people.
“The right to access to gender-affirming care is supported by all major medical bodies in Australia and the World Health Organisation,” she said.
“However,many young Victorians face significant barriers in accessing gender-affirming care,and the Greens will continue to push to ensure all young people can access the care they need.”