South Australia Rejects One Nation Bill Criminalising Gender-Affirming Care For Trans Youth

South Australia’s Parliament has decisively rejected a One Nation bill seeking to criminalise gender-affirming healthcare for minors. 

The Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (South Australia) (Childhood Gender Dysphoria) Amendment Bill, put forward by One Nation South Australia leader Cory Bernardi, would have imposed up to five years in prison for health practitioners prescribing puberty blockers or cross-sex hormones to individuals under 18.

The bill was defeated following strong opposition from SA Labor and the Greens, who argued it is not the responsibility of politicians to overrule the autonomy of trans youth, the expertise and discretion of their healthcare professions, or the decades of clinical evidence supporting gender-affirming care for minors.

SA Rainbow Advocacy Alliance Welcomes The Bill’s Defeat

“Today’s decision in Parliament is a win for evidence-based healthcare and the wellbeing of trans young people across South Australia,” said Varo, CEO of SA Rainbow Advocacy Alliance.

“While we have watched with concern as public health systems in Queensland and the Northern Territory restricted essential youth healthcare, South Australian lawmakers have today drawn a clear line against overreach. Healthcare decisions belong between young people, their families, and qualified health professionals – not politicians pushing divisive ideological agendas.

“By voting down Hon Cory Bernardi’s bill, Parliament has ensured that clinical decisions in South Australia remain guided by medical science and standards for safe quality care, rather than the threat of jail time for dedicated health professionals.

“To young trans and gender diverse South Australians and their families: today’s outcome means your access to care and support remains safe, legal, and uninterrupted. South Australia continues to be a state where your health, safety, and dignity matter.” 

While no other Australian state or territory has criminalised gender-affirming care for minors, Queensland and the Northern Territory have banned any new prescriptions of puberty blockers or gender-affirming hormones for children under 18.

Cory Bernardi’s Anti-LGBTQ+ Record

Bernardi, the originator of the bill, has a record of preferencing unscientific, moralising arguments over the rights and dignity of LGBTQ+ Australians. In 2012, the former Liberal was asked to step down as Tony Abbott’s parliamentary secretary after suggesting that marriage equality was one step closer to the legalisation of unions between humans and animals.

Bernardi’s fringe views, which also include climate-change denial, have since found a home in One Nation. Berardi was elected to South Australia’s Legislative Council in 2026, where he will serve an eight-year term.