BREAKING NEWS: Equality Tasmania is deeply disappointed the State Government has failed to fulfil its promise to table a ban on conversion practices before the end of the parliamentary year.
Speaking to Parliament's Gender and Equality Committee on October 12th, Attorney-General, Guy Barnett, committed to tabling legislation by the end of the year. However, he confirmed yesterday that will not happen.
Equality Tasmania spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said,
“We know there are young LGBTIQA+ Tasmanians who are suffering conversion practices right now.”"Tasmanian research shows LGBTIQA+ people who are subject to conversion practices are three to four times more likely to have PTSD and attempt suicide than opther LGBTIQA+ people."“The longer the Government delays a ban on these cruel practices the more harm will be inflicted.”“We will be seeking meetings with the Premier and Attorney-General so conversion survivors can press the case for legislation to be made public before the end of the year.”
Premier Jeremy Rockliff gave a commitment to banning conversion practices following the release of a Tasmanian Law Reform Institute report recommending such a ban.
Victoria, Queensland and the ACT have banned conversion practices while the NSW, South Australian, West Australian and Northern Territory governments have committed to doing the same.
Mr Croome said,
“If Tasmania continues to drag its feet on this reform we risk becoming a haven for conversion practitioners who have been thrown out of the other states.”
