New Zealand’s professional body for transgender health care have voiced their support for their Australian counterparts. The Professional Association for Transgender Health Aotearoa (PATHA) committee said they supported the work of medical professionals working in transgender healthcare in Australia.

The PATHA committee said they wanted to express their collegial and professional support for those working professionally for transgender health in Australia during a time where there are media attacks against the provision of gender-affirming care.

“PATHA supports the increasing focus in both countries on informed consent models of gender-affirming care in position statements, standards, and guidelines developed and endorsed by both the Australian Professional Association for Trans Health (AusPATH) and PATHA. These are based on local and international research, and user feedback in this rapidly-developing area of medical care.” the group said in a statement.

“PATHA supports AusPATH in their work to improve the quality of and access to gender-affirming care, for those who need it. Leading medical organisations have stated the medical necessity of gender-affirming care, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Association, World Medical Association, and the World Professional Association for Transgender Health. Lack of services, withholding care, and so-called reparative therapies are harmful and contravene international human rights standards that apply to both Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.

“There is a very close working relationship between those working professionally for trans health in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, whether through formal bodies (such as ANZPATH until recently and various Australasian Colleges) or through online and face-to-face collaborations. This level of collaboration was always envisaged when PATHA was established and we intend for continuing and strengthening collaboration between PATHA and AusPATH.”

The Australian body recently had to release a statement criticising coverage of transgender health issues by The Australian newspaper. The newspaper’s coverage has also been criticised by the Australian Psychological Society and the ABC program Media Watch.

OIP Staff