The government needs to commit to bringing on landmark legislation on improved transgender recognition for debate in the House of Assembly next week, Greens leader Cassy O'Connor says.
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The Legislative Council on Thursday passed a bill with amendments on the issue which would allow a young person to change their gender at the age of 16 years old, with certain requirements, and for parents to choose whether gender was listed on birth certificates.
The government fought fiercely against the amendments to the legislation which was brought on last year primarily to register same-sex marriages in Tasmania.
The amendments in both the lower and upper house have drawn the ire of groups opposed to the change such as the Tasmanian Coalition for Kids.
Spokesman Ben Smith said changes to the Anti-Discrimination Actin particular, to protect a person's gender expression, would have unintended consequences for the community as would lowering the age of consent for gender change.
He said the Legislative Council in passing the bill had ignored the wishes of the bulk of the community.
But Tasmanian Families for TransKids spokeswoman Candace Harrington said for her 17-year-old son Callum, who began transitioning from female at age 14, it was a relief to not have to undergo expensive and invasive surgery to prove his true gender identity.
"He's happier than he has ever been now," she said.
"It's amazing what happens when you are able to be who you want to be.
"Hopefully, the other states will follow Tasmania's lead and get fairer transgender laws for young people."
Ms O'Connor said the Liberal Government needed to respond to the will of both houses in Tasmania's Parliament. "The Attorney General must commit to debating the Upper House amendments next week," she said.
"Every day this continues without conclusion, anxiety and pain created by the often transphobic public debate places more vulnerable transgender Tasmanians, particularly young people at risk."
A government spokeswoman said: "we will follow the usual parliamentary process".
Australian Medical Association state president John Davis said the apparent sex of a child at birth needed to be officially registered, to ensure a correct dataset for population health planning, and this had been confirmed through legislative amendments.
"While a patient may identify as a gender that is different from the sex apparent at birth, it's important for doctors to know the past medical history to ensure appropriate advice and treatment is provided," he said.
