Pauline Hanson (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is for the Minister for Defence, Senator Payne. Our Defence Force is made up of men and women willing to put their lives on the line to defend and protect Australia, as well as conducting peacekeeping operations. When and why has it become the Defence Force's responsibility to fund 27 ADF staff personnel sex change operations and treatments for gender dysphoria over the past five years at a cost of $1.05 million, including 15 breast enhancement procedures between 2012 and 2015, costing taxpayers $235,000?

Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to 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.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Hanson, a supplementary question.

Pauline Hanson (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, we have returned service personnel facing PTSD, homelessness, drug and alcohol abuse and suicide, with many not getting the help they desperately need. One million dollars would go a long way to helping and saving their lives. Do you consider sex change and breast enhancement more important? If not, what are you going to do to address it?

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

I thank Senator Hanson for her question. I think it's invidious to try and distinguish between one health condition and one personal health circumstance over another. In no way does Defence's engagement in relation to gender dysphoria diminish or lessen Defence's commitment—and, for that matter, the Department of Veterans' Affairs' commitment—to the strongest possible support for returned servicemen and servicewomen and those who continue to serve those who are veterans.

I will also address the focus of Senator Hanson's question in relation to funding. Senator Hanson referred to it being just over $1 million. Let me put that in context. The 2015-16 total expenditure on ADF health was $430 million, as published on page 21 of the Defence annual report 2015-16, volume 2.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Hanson, a final supplementary question?

Pauline Hanson (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, wouldn't you agree that sex change and breast enhancement is a personal choice and will not help in any way in defending or protecting our country? Will you stop this ridiculous and unnecessary cost to taxpayers?

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

As I said in my previous remarks, gender dysphoria, and the condition that is gender dysphoria, is managed in accordance with current best practice and clinical guidelines under the same principles as any other health condition. If a member is diagnosed by a medical practitioner and treated for gender dysphoria, then Defence will fund the medical procedures or support, as prescribed by the treating doctor. This is not a case of treatment by cosmetic or elective procedures and surgeries; this is as diagnosed and as treated by a medical practitioner for medical procedures that are required to treat the condition of gender dysphoria. I think it's very important to acknowledge the complexity that attaches to these particular conditions. They are treated seriously by Defence, they are dealt with seriously by Defence, and they are dealt with according to best practice clinical guidelines, as directed by medical practitioners.