Arabic version: ليبراليو تسمانيا يحصلون على تصويت ضميري بشأن مشروع قانون ممارسات التحويل

According to ABC News, Tasmanian Liberal MPs will be given a conscience vote on a Greens bill that would ban conversion practices, which are attempts to suppress or convert a person’s gender or sexual identity. Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the Parliamentary Liberal Party agreed to a free vote at its meeting, and the bill is expected to be debated in state parliament this year.

Police Minister Felix Ellis said he would vote against the bill. He said young people distressed about their bodies deserved “love and care”, including individual, evidence-based medical care from professionals able to use their judgement and guidance from parents. Ellis said the bill could expose a doctor, psychologist, counsellor or parent to legal action for taking a careful and cautious approach with a distressed young person rather than moving directly to medical gender transition.

Backbench Liberal MP Michael Ferguson also said he would vote against the proposal, raising concerns that its definition of conversion practices was too broad and could intrude on freedoms relating to discussions of sex, gender and transgender issues. Attorney-General Guy Barnett has previously expressed concerns. Primary Industries Minister Gavin Pearce said he could not support the bill as it stands.

The Greens said Ellis’s claims were misleading. Deputy leader Vica Bayley said the proposal targets acts intended to change, suppress or eradicate a person’s sexual identity or gender, while explicitly protecting ordinary prayer, medical care, counselling and parenting. The bill includes exceptions for health services provided in good faith and in line with legal, professional and ethical requirements, as well as public debate, expressions of belief including prayer, and parents discussing relevant matters with their children.

Rockliff said he supported banning conversion practices “as a general principle” but believed there were legitimate concerns that the Greens bill went too far. He said he would consider amendments to strengthen safeguards, while seeking to ensure freedom of religion and freedom of speech were not impinged. The Tasmanian Law Reform Institute found in 2022 that conversion practices had caused “severe harm” and were still occurring in Tasmania. Labor and several crossbenchers have indicated support for the Greens bill.