Letter sent to Tasmania Minister for Health Jacquie Petrusma on 31 March 2025
Dear Minister Jacquie Petrusma,
Re: Questions regarding The Tasmanian Gender Service
I am writing to you as a follow up from our meeting on 18th March confirming our questions to you about the Tasmania Gender Service and some additional question
Q1. As Health Minister, have you read the informed consent documents provided to clients with gender dysphoria attending the Tasmanian Gender Service (TGS)? Are these documents under revision and can you provide us with a copy?
Q2. Does the TGS have an exemption from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) to import Leuprorelin Acetate to use off-label for children with gender dysphoria? Could we have a copy?
Q3. Given that the Queensland Government and the Federal Government are conducting an inquiry into Gender Affirming Care and has banned new prescriptions of puberty blockers, as Health Minister ,would you direct the TGS to adopt the National Association of Practising Psychiatry Guidelines for treatment of children with gender dysphoria as a precautionary measure until such time as the Queensland review releases its report?
Q4. Has the TGS conducted an own evaluation of the Cass Review findings on guidelines, rather than relying on other gender clinics guidelines, ie Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne?
The Tasmanian Gender Service (TGS) uses both the RCH Melbourne and WPATH Guidelines. The Cass Review rated these guidelines for rigour of development at a score 19/100 for RCH Melbourne while WPATH was 35/100.
The RCH Melbourne scored 14/100 and WPATH 39/100 for editorial independence’
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to your response.
Kind Regards,
Dr. Elizabeth Caballero Pastor (retired GP)
Women Speak Tasmania
Response from Hon. Jacquie Petrusma 23 May 2025
