"Victoria will become the first Australian state to ban unnecessary surgeries on intersex children, with legislation to be introduced to parliament to ensure procedures are deferred until patients are old enough to consent to them. The health minister, Mary-Anne Thomas, will on Tuesday introduce the health safeguards for people born with variations in sex characteristics bill, which if passed would prohibit deferrable, irreversible procedures and treatments on intersex infants and children until they can provide informed consent."
"But under the changes, all other procedures and treatments would be reviewed by a new independent oversight panel. If the panel recommends treatment, parents must consent on behalf of a child who cannot, while children judged capable of making their own medical decisions can consent themselves. The process is designed to ensure families receive accurate information, understand treatment options, and have access to peer and psychosocial support when making decisions."
Legislation will prohibit deferrable, irreversible procedures on intersex infants and children until they can provide informed consent, while exempting urgent life‑saving interventions. A new independent oversight panel will review non‑urgent procedures and recommend whether treatment should proceed. Parents will consent for children assessed as incapable, and capable children will be able to consent for themselves. The reforms aim to prevent harm from inappropriate medical interventions, ensure families receive accurate information and access to peer and psychosocial support, and provide intersex people with greater agency and legal recognition over their bodies.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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