Dec 21, 2025 – Human rights groups, community advocates and medical experts have slammed the Northern Territory government’s shock decision to block young trans people from accessing essential healthcare.  

NT Health Minister Steve Edgington on Sunday said the government would cease public health access to puberty blockers and gender-affirming hormones for people under the age of 18. 

It follows a similar ban in Queensland, which was on Friday extended for another six years. 

In March this year, Mr Edgington dismissed calls to block trans and gender diverse young people from accessing gender affirming care, saying NT Health provided evidence-based care in line with Australian standards.  

Equality Australia CEO Anna Brown: 

“This decision is devastating for trans young people and their families, and to announce it just days before Christmas is especially cruel. 

“At the heart of this are ordinary Territory families - parents who want exactly what every parent wants: for their children to feel safe, supported and able to grow up happy and healthy. 

“The government’s ban flies in the face of the medical evidence, expert consensus and the approach taken by health systems across almost every other Australian state and territory. 

“Governments have no place interfering in choices that belong with young people, their parents, and the specialist doctors who care for them."

Eloise Brook, CEO of AusPATH (the Australian Professional Association for Trans Health)  which represents nearly 700 healthcare professionals and researchers:  

“Medical professionals rely on standards developed from extensive research and clinical practice.  

“Evidence indicates that restricting access to this care can cause significant harm to young people, increasing the risk of depression, anxiety, and, in some cases, self-harm. 

“Limiting or denying access to care poses serious risks and disproportionately harms the small number of people who need it.” 

Dr Bhushan Joshi, Chair of GLADD - The Association of LGBTQIA+ Doctors and Dentists:

“We are deeply disappointed and concerned about the NT Government’s decision to place a ban on gender affirming care for under 18-year-olds.

“These evidence based vital services, which were previously endorsed by the NT Government, are pivotal to the health and well-being of these young people."

Dr Alex Parr, President of Pride in Medicine:

“No one should be denied access to affirmative wholistic care, especially these young people who are the most vulnerable, and especially without sound supporting evidence to show their harm."

Dr Danielle Stewart, Northside Health NT: 

“Northside Health NT deplores the decision of the NT Government to put conservative politics ahead of lifesaving treatments for the small number of local trans and gender diverse young people who need it.  

“Their care is being provided by high quality paediatric services following evidence-based national guidelines. 

“Nine years ago, we established our free monthly LGBTQIA+ Clinic in general practice because we saw families leaving the NT to access gender affirming care for their children. Since then, we have worked closely with NT Health paediatricians to support young people to take the time they and their families need to explore the complex issue of their gender.  

“This care has stopped families leaving the Territory and is the critical factor in the mental health of their children, in many cases putting a halt to their suicide attempts.

Adam Nguyen, Chair AMSA Queer - Australian Medical Students Association: 

“As future doctors, the Australian Medical Student Association is deeply disappointed that the NT Government has mirrored Queensland’s ban, even while Queensland’s own independent review acknowledges that refusing public provision pushes young people into riskier pathways and that appropriate intervention can relieve distress for some. 

“When governments knowingly choose the option associated with harm over systems that provide oversight, consent safeguards, and equity of access, they abandon trans youth - not on evidence, but on ideology. 

"Body autonomy should be decided by the individual people themselves, for themselves, in consultation with their families and health providers with sound supporting evidence."

Jackie Turner, Trans Justice Project:  

“Just days before Christmas, the Northern Territory government has chosen to threaten the rights, health and happiness of trans young people.  

“Gender-affirming care is life-changing and, for many, lifesaving. It gives trans and gender-diverse young people the chance to feel at home in their bodies, supported in their identities, and hopeful about their futures."  

Media contact: Tara Ravens 0408 898 154, tara.ravens@equalityaustralia.org.au