Letter sent to Tasmania Attorney General Guy Barnett on 22 August 2025
Women Speak Tasmania wrote to Attorney-General Guy Barnett to express concern about the Tasmanian Government’s sponsorship of the Australian Professional Association for Trans Health (AusPATH) National Conference in Hobart in November 2025.
We noted that the conference is framed around “pushing back” against criticism, which we believe reflects an activist approach rather than an objective, evidence-based medical discussion. In our view, this appears inconsistent with Mr Barnett’s earlier position as Health Minister, when he called for a careful review of gender services following the UK Cass Review.
We pointed out that both the Queensland and Commonwealth governments have since initiated formal reviews into paediatric gender treatments, while Tasmania is financially supporting a conference aligned with AusPATH. We also referred to concerns raised in Australasian Psychiatry about AusPATH’s role and to reports that its charitable status has been formally challenged.
We further raised concerns that the Tasmanian Health Service offered sponsorship for general practitioners to attend the conference, which we believe raises questions about the appropriate use of public funds and government probity.
Accordingly, we asked the Attorney-General to investigate the matter, review the Government’s relationship with AusPATH, and withdraw sponsorship for GPs attending the conference, citing concerns about patient safety, legal liability, and accountability in public health decision-making.
Read the letter below
Follow-up letter sent to Tasmania Attorney General Guy Barnett on 23 February 2026
Dear Attorney General Barnett,
Re: Follow-up — AUSPATH Sponsorship, WPATH Developments, and Government Duty of Care
We write to follow up on our previous correspondence regarding the Tasmanian Department of Health’s sponsorship of the Australian Professional Association for Trans Health (AusPATH) conference in Hobart.
Since that letter, significant international developments have heightened our concern regarding the governance, evidentiary standards, and medico-legal risk associated with gender-affirming medical treatments for minors.
Many Australians are unaware that Australia did not independently design its current gender medicine framework. The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) publishes the international Standards of Care for gender treatment. AusPATH explicitly bases its guidance on those WPATH standards and promotes their implementation in Australia. In practical terms:
WPATH develops the framework → AusPATH applies it → Australian clinicians follow it.
This linkage is significant because WPATH’s guidance materially influences clinical pathways in Australian public health services, including assessment protocols, puberty suppression, cross-sex hormones, and referral for surgery.
We are concerned that WPATH is now facing escalating legal and regulatory scrutiny in the United States. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has reportedly initiated investigations into whether certain representations about paediatric gender treatments were misleading. At the same time, malpractice litigation in the United States is increasing, including cases brought by detransitioners alleging lack of informed consent. Several U.S. jurisdictions have extended limitation periods to allow additional claims to proceed.
The FTC is Investigating WPATH and AAP for Claims About Gender Dysphoria Treatments
These developments are relevant to Tasmania because our public services rely on a clinical model derived from the same standards now under international scrutiny.
We also note developments within Australia. The Queensland Government commissioned an independent review into Stage 1 and Stage 2 hormone therapies in public paediatric gender services, following concerns regarding clinical governance and patient safety at the Cairns Gender Service. That review identified serious deficiencies, including concerns regarding consent capacity and medication practices.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-12/qld-puberty-blockers-cairns-health-service/106336756
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/health/safety-fears-over-infertility-and-bone-density-stop-uk-puberty-blocker-trial/news-story/cf03a73f2b6a1479252cbbef46400ce8 or archive link https://archive.md/jMjRg
In Tasmania, we remain concerned about transparency and governance within the Tasmanian Gender Service. In March 2025, then Minister for Health Jackie Petrusma confirmed that informed consent documents used by the Tasmanian Health Service were “under review” and that copies may become available through a Right to Information process. However, a Right to Information request lodged in September 2025 seeking clarification regarding consent procedures for minors has, to our knowledge, not received a response within statutory timeframes.
In circumstances where:
- international standards are being legally challenged,
- other Australian states have initiated formal reviews,
- the Commonwealth has tasked the NHMRC with developing new national guidelines,
- and consent procedures remain opaque,
We believe the Tasmanian Government has a clear duty of care to ensure that public services are operating under rigorous, evidence-based, and legally defensible frameworks.
Given the Attorney-General’s responsibility for safeguarding the integrity of public administration and legal risk to the State, we respectfully request:
- Clarification as to whether the Tasmanian Government has assessed potential liability exposure given many jurisdictions have already abandoned affirmative care and puberty blockers, and WPath guidelines fall further into disrepute
- Confirmation that informed consent procedures for minors in Tasmanian public gender services meet best-practice standards in light of emerging international evidence.
- Consideration of an independent review of Tasmania’s public paediatric gender services, consistent with actions taken in Queensland and federally.
We would welcome the opportunity to meet with you to discuss these matters in a constructive and solution-focused manner.
The protection of children and the integrity of public health governance should remain above partisan debate. Developments overseas demonstrate how quickly medico-legal landscapes can shift. It would be prudent for Tasmania to act proactively rather than reactively.
We look forward to your considered response.
Kind regards,
Dr. Elizabeth Caballero
Retired General Practitioner
Director, Women Speak Tasmania