Jillian to Get Her Day in Court

After years of buildup and preparation behind the scenes, Dr Jillian Spencer’s case is moving steadily toward a decisive moment with a trial date now set.

The Court has allocated a two-week hearing window in the first two weeks of November, marking a major step in what has become a closely watched case at the intersection of proper care for vulnerable children, professional integrity, and the rapidly evolving debate around gender ideology.

Dr Spencer and the HRLA team have met key legal deadlines along the way, including filing further evidence in February, and these court dates allow some certainty going forward.

However, as is often said, the process is the punishment. For Jillian, the trial in November comes only after four years of legal proceedings.

Dr Spencer contends that this all happened because she, as a professional psychiatrist at Queensland Children’s Hospital, questioned the automatic “affirmation” model of treating gender-confused children. Dr Spencer was concerned about untested and unproven treatments, including the use of puberty blockers, and the long-term effects they would have on young patients.

Speaking up set in train a series of events leading her to be suspended from her job and then terminated. Dr Spencer is challenging this in proceedings separate to her HRLA matter.

The irony is that, while this process has played out, the Queensland government froze the prescription of intervention such as puberty blockers and ordered a review of the “affirming” model of treatment, while also waiting for UK trials which will not finish until 2031.

Similar pauses and reviews around the world, including in New Zealand and the UK, validate Dr Spencer’s concerns. 

The fact Jillian has to spend years in legal proceedings for her right to oppose government policy and practice in line with her professional judgment, and the best evidence, while the questions that got her in trouble continue to be validated around the world reveals a failure in protecting fundamental freedoms in this country. 

HRLA works to change law and culture by achieving landmark legal precedents. HRLA will continue to work closely with Jillian as this important case progresses.