Jillian Spencer is set to receive an award from the Coalition Advancing Scientific Care (CASC), recognising her courage in speaking up for vulnerable children and defending evidence-based medicine.

The honour follows a watershed legal victory for Jillian after more than four years of dispute, disciplinary action, and litigation arising from concerns she raised about medical interventions for children experiencing gender dysphoria.

Throughout that long battle, HRLA was proud to represent Jillian, defending her right as an experienced child and adolescent psychiatrist to exercise independent clinical judgment and raise concerns about patient safety.

In July, all disputes between Jillian and Children’s Health Queensland were resolved. 

The Hospital publicly acknowledged that Jillian’s concerns were grounded in her training and experience and recognised the important role clinicians play in raising concerns about patient safety and clinical practice. All disciplinary proceedings were discontinued.

Following the settlement, AHPRA also dropped its investigation into Jillian over social media posts critical of transgender ideology. She is cleared to continue practising as a psychiatrist. In response, Jillian said:

This is a huge relief, and this victory makes it very clear I never did anything wrong by speaking out and trying to protect children from these harmful interventions.

She also thanked HRLA for its unwavering support: 

The HRLA stands up for people like me who find themselves fighting against powerful institutions and facing costly and complex legal disputes and they were with me from the beginning.

The CASC award is fitting recognition of Jillian’s courage.

Jillian spoke when remaining silent would have been easier. She persevered when doing so came at enormous professional and personal cost. And she stood firm because she believed vulnerable children deserved careful, evidence-based care.

HRLA congratulates Jillian on this well-deserved recognition. Her story demonstrates why Australians need the freedom to speak according to conscience and why courageous individuals need strong legal advocates prepared to stand with them.