Court Overturns Puberty Blocker Pause; Minister Reissues

Queensland Supreme Court Justice Peter Callaghan set aside the January 28 health‑service directive that paused puberty blockers and hormone therapy for new patients under 18, finding it unlawful because it was issued without the required consultation with hospital and health services. He said the ruling was based on procedural and legal grounds rather than the medical merits of gender‑affirming care. The original directive, issued by director‑general Dr David Rosengren, was communicated to hospital and health service chief executives via a roughly 22‑minute videoconference and prompted a judicial challenge by the mother of a trans teenager and public protests. About six hours after the ruling, Health Minister Tim Nicholls issued his own written directive pausing puberty blockers for new public patients under 18, saying it was in the public interest; the judge noted a minister may lawfully issue a written, published direction. The outcome leaves access to gender‑affirming care for young people in Queensland in flux while exposing procedural failings and opening the door to a properly issued ministerial direction or further policy review.