Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Hanson for her question. Let me be very clear: the Defence Force regulations mandate that Defence provide necessary health care to all Defence members. Defence Force members are not individually covered by Medicare. What Defence provides is comprehensive health care that is clinically necessary for the management of health conditions, illnesses and injuries. Gender dysphoria, in that context, is managed in accordance with current best-practice clinical guidelines under the same principles as any other health condition. So, if a member of the ADF is diagnosed with or treated for gender dysphoria, Defence will fund the medical procedures or support as prescribed by the treating doctor. Cosmetic or elective surgeries are not funded. This occurs in the same way that this treatment or support would be available under Medicare for civilian members of the community.