ACT law update: Teens aged 14+ can change gender independently

Australian Community Media

Teenagers in the ACT aged 14 and above will now be able to apply to change their gender and given name without parental consent under changes to the territory's Births, Deaths and Marriages Act.

Transcript

00:00 Teenagers in the ACT aged 14 and up will now be able to change their gender and

00:05 given name without parental consent. The change, part of amendments to the Births,

00:11 Deaths and Marriages Act, acknowledges that 14 year olds are capable of making

00:16 such decisions. 14 is an age where young people are generally becoming more

00:22 mature and independent and can be assumed to have understanding of the

00:27 consequences of a change of registered sex or given name. The Legislative

00:32 Assembly passed the law after intense debate with the opposition objecting

00:37 primarily to lowering the age from the current limit of 16. It's an assault on children, it's

00:42 also an assault on parents who are rightfully responsible to guide their

00:47 children's development. Advocates emphasize young people who aren't

00:51 supported in their gender identity and expression are more likely to face

00:55 greater risks of mental health issues, self-harm and suicide. Additional new

01:00 laws will also grant donor conceived children access to information about

01:05 their genetic parents through donor registries.

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