The business of a child or teenager’s body is no longer in the hands of the Family Court.

The father of a 16-year-old trans person was instrumental in this landmark change

Health experts and trans activists alike have long campaigned for the end of magistrate authority over a young person’s eligibility for hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

This foundation of protest of the current system helped the father of 16-year-old Kelvin urge The Full Court of the Family Court to reconsider the procedure.

He was supported by Inner City Legal, the Royal Children’s Hospital of Melbourne, advocates from A Gender, the Australian Human Rights Commission, and Attorney-General George Brandis.

The overhaul means that trans kids and their families need only discuss HRT with their doctor.

“This is a great result for all trans and genders diverse young people,” said Senator Janet Rice, Australian Greens LGBTIQ spokesperson. “It is absurd that we have had this barrier when the Family Court has never knocked back a young person’s request for hormones where they, their family and their medical team all agree that it is right for them.”

“Requiring transgender young people to go through the courts is expensive and time consuming, with these delays putting them at high risk of mental ill-health.”

“Today’s decision to remove this unnecessary and damaging hurdle is very welcome news to transgender young people and their families, and has the full support of the Greens.”

“I am proud to have worked with many trans young people and their families on this issue, including at an event hosted almost two years ago organised by the Parliamentary Friends of LGBTIQ Australians. They have advocated strongly for this long awaited change and I know they will be celebrating today.”