Labor welcomes move to ban conversion practices

Tasmanian Labor welcomes the Greens’ release of a draft bill to ban conversion practices in Tasmania.

Following the Tasmanian Law Reform Institute recommending a ban on conversion practices in May 2022, Premier Rockliff promised to act.

Unfortunately, like so many of the Premier’s promises the conversion ban has gone nowhere.

It’s difficult to believe the rising conservative element of the Tasmanian Liberals hasn’t played a role in the Premier’s go-slow, and with One Nation circling it will be telling to see how the Liberals react.

All jurisdictions in Australia either have banned conversion practices or are committed to it and Tasmania risks being the only jurisdiction that allows conversion.

Without a legislated ban, Tasmania runs the risk of becoming a “safe haven” for these damaging, harmful practices, putting Tasmanians at extended risk.

Sadly, conversion practices still happen in Tasmania. They inflict enormous, lifelong harm to people who are subjected to them.

Tasmanian Labor recognises the serious harm conversion practices still do in Tasmania, has long supported a ban and looks forward to this Bill progressing to the Parliament.