Wendy Askew (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I also rise to support Senator Hanson's urgency motion. In the past, we have seen Labor and the Greens work together to shut down an inquiry into this complex and yet extremely important issue. I'm proud to be a member of a party which allows a conscience vote on issues such as this.

As you have heard in earlier contributions, it is widely known and accepted that subjecting children to puberty blockers and hormone treatments can have irreversible consequences to the long-term health and mental wellbeing of children. This, coupled with a drastic increase to the rates of diagnosis of gender dysphoria, is alarming and in itself should be reason enough for a Senate inquiry to investigate the issue.

Over recent times there has been a rise in some people in our community who seem to be obsessed with sexualising young children and encouraging gender dysphoria, all under the guise of some kind of inclusion. Does this not warrant an inquiry to protect our children? We have seen drag queens in our libraries and on our TVs encouraging preschool-age children to cross-dress and discussing some very complex adult themes and issues. Regardless of each of our individual positions on gender dysphoria, we should all agree that it is vital that our youth are protected and kept safe at all times.

I agree that a robust inquiry is needed to investigate this alarming rise in diagnosis and the treatment of gender dysphoria to allow our youth to access age-appropriate treatment and not be forced into making complex, adult, life-changing decisions without appropriate information and support.