A One Nation senator stated that supporting transgender children constitutes “child abuse”
Tyrone Whitten, a senator for Australia’s One Nation party, claimed that parents who support children who identify as transgender are allegedly engaging in “child abuse.” He made these remarks in an interview with the YouTube channel Billboard Battalion, recorded at the Australian Parliament building in August 2025, according to The Guardian World.
After the host mentioned a group of schoolchildren, Whitten said that there are only two genders—male and female—and used the term “mental illness.” He added that he considers parental support for their children’s transgender identity to be child abuse.
The Australian Human Rights Commission notes that approximately 2–3% of Australians aged 11 to 18 identify as transgender or gender-diverse. Citing a study by the youth organization Minus18, the Commission also reported that nine out of ten young LGBTQIA+ people have experienced bullying or violence because of their identity.
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The publication also cited other statements by One Nation representatives regarding transgender Australians. In a June YouTube interview, Senator Malcolm Roberts spoke disparagingly about transgender people and their right to gender identity. Party leader Pauline Hanson stated in a March 2024 interview that the topic of transgender issues annoyed her, and she also claimed that minors are allowed to undergo life-altering surgeries.
At the same time, the Australian Human Rights Commission notes that under the public health care system, most gender-affirming surgeries for people under the age of 18 are illegal. An exception may be breast reduction surgery for transgender men, but only under exceptional circumstances. Gender-affirming care for minors, including hormone therapy or puberty blockers, typically requires parental consent and a professional assessment; in the absence of consent, a court order is required.
The offices of Witten, Hanson, and the One Nation central office did not respond to requests for comment from The Guardian World.
