A Response From The Australian Democrats

by Brian Greig

(The Gender Centre advise that this article may not be current and as such certain content, including but not limited to persons, contact details and dates may not apply. Where legal authority or medical related matters are cited, responsibility lies with the reader to obtain the most current relevant legal authority and/or medical publication.)

I write in response to comments and letters in the last issue of Polare (Edition 57) regarding the Australian Democrats position on a range of issues for transgender people. Let me begin by assuring your readers that the comments attributed to Democrats' staff member Sarah Benson, are not an accurate reflection of Democrats' policy, and do not properly reflect the official action undertaken by us in relation to the current review of the Monash Gender Clinic.

There have been several approaches to Senator Lyn Allison by a number of groups seeking a review of Monash procedures, especially in relation to follow-up care. As a consequence of initial concerns raised by GenderMenders/ G.I.A.A., Senator Allison gave cautious support for a review of Monash late last year.

In the time since, there have been many more voices contributing to debate on this issue, particularly after the recent Family Court ruling in the case of Alex.

I have publicly stated the Democrats' view that many of these voices are fronts for the Catholic Church and other conservative organisations, and that their allegiances must be declared. As is often the risk, those with little information and highly questionable motives have attempted to take the debate from those with a legitimate claim to it.

As the Democrats' spokesperson for Sexuality and Gender Issues, let me state categorically that while we endorse support for transgender people who later regret their decision for surgery, we do not believe the few cases in which this has occurred should be grounds upon which to discredit the Monash Clinic.

We acknowledge the enormity of the struggle for many people with gender identity issues, both in coming to terms with that identity, and then for those who choose it, in going through the various stages of operative and non-operative therapies that will assist to bring congruence between identity and daily experience.

We recognise, too, that these choices often come at enormous personal, emotional, psychological and financial cost.

The Democrats policy in this area is unambiguous. We support full equality in all areas of law for sexuality and gender minorities, funding of support services, access to information, full gender affirmation, availability of treatments under Medicare, and removal of gender categories on all official documents.

You may be aware I sought additional information from Victorian Health Minister, Bronwyn Pike, in March/April regarding the nature, conduct and timeframe of the Monash review, and whether its result would be made available for public comment.

Minister Pike responded this week by saying that the review would be privately conducted by a small team of senior mental health clinicians later this month, with particular focus on referral, assessment and decision making processes.

The Minister has also advised the Clinic will be evaluated against "generally accepted contemporary practice for this area of clinical speciality", and that the review is occurring in line with the recommendations of the Victorian G.L.B.T.I. Health and Wellbeing Action Plan, developed through ongoing community consultation.

Finally, Minister Pike advises that while the final report will be confidential, general findings may be released at the discretion of the Chief Psychiatrist and Director of Mental Health.

The Australian Democrats recognise the level of concern that exists in relation to this review, particularly given much of the sensational media accompanying the Alex case, and we continue to monitor the development of the issue.

We are committed to our proud history of supporting G.L.B.T.I. communities well beyond that of any other party, and in ensuring the rights of all Australians, regardless of sexuality or gender identity.

Polare is published in Australia by The Gender Centre Inc. which is funded by the Department of Community Services under the S.A.A.P. Program and supported by the N.S.W. Health Department through the AIDS and Infectious Diseases Branch. Polare provides a forum for discussion and debate on gender issues. Advertisers are advised that all advertising is their responsibility under the Trade Practices Act. Unsolicited contributions are welcome, though no guarantee is made by the Editor that they will be published, nor any discussion entered into. The editor reserves the right to edit such contributions without notification. Any submission which appears in Polare may be published on our internet site. Opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the Editor, The Gender Centre Inc.I, the Department of Community Services or the N.S.W. Department of Health.