New South Wales moves to catch up with Queensland, Victoria and the ACT in protecting its LGBTQIA+ communities.
The NSW government has introduced a bill into state parliament today to ban LGBTQIA+ conversion practices in the state, an election promise that was flagged by Premier Chris Minns during his appearance in the Mardi Gras parade on 2 March.
The Department of Communities and Justice and the NSW Ministry of Health led a working group who consulted with a range of stakeholders including members of the health, education, legal and government sectors, faith and multicultural organisations, LGBTQIA+ community advocates and victim-survivors, academics, and researchers.
If passed the legislation will bring NSW in line with Queensland (banned since August 2020), Victoria (banned since February 2021) and the ACT (banned since March 2021). Western Australia has been promising a ban since 2021, and Tasmania has also announced its intention to ban the practices.
Expressing a belief through sermon, taking offence at religious teachings, and seeking guidance through prayer will not be included in the NSW ban.
“Conversion practices are incredibly harmful and have severely damaging health impacts. I am proud to be part of a government that is delivering on its commitment to stop them,” said NSW Health Minister Ryan Park.
“These landmark reforms are the result of diligent and extensive work and consultation across a wide range of stakeholders to ensure the model is tailored to NSW. We want them to function effectively and as we intend.
“We have worked closely with a wide range of health experts to ensure that this Bill is fit for purpose and provides clarity around obligations for practitioners.”
Mr Minns said he had met personally with survivors of conversion practices and knows “how important it is that we put an end to this”.
“Every person in NSW deserves to be respected for who they are and that’s exactly what these new laws will do,” he said.
“It is intolerable that we have a situation in NSW where children can be told something is wrong with them and that they need to be fixed.”
