We're disappointed the Greens' Conversion Practices Prohibition Bill has passed Tasmania's lower house despite widespread community objections.
We absolutely support legislation banning gay conversion practices, but this bill in its current form has three major flaws that affect LGB people:
Erased – the bill erases gay people by removing all references to homosexuality in the Anti-Discrimination Act and introducing a clumsy, unworkable definition based on "same-gender attraction".
Gagged – a parent who questions a child's new identity, or wants therapy that explores before affirming, is left exposed.
Medicalised – when psychotherapy for someone's distress about their sex becomes legally risky, the only option is to affirm, which puts them on a path to medicalisation.
We're extremely concerned about the conduct of the Greens. Nearly three weeks ago, we asked Tasmanian Greens leader Dr Rosalie Woodruff for a meeting to discuss the concerns of the LGB community, but she never replied. Yet in parliament she thanked Equality Tasmania by name for shaping the bill, and labelled Emeritus Professor Patrick Parkinson AM "entirely discredited" for raising objections. Are we the wrong type of gay person? Why won't the Greens listen to lesbians and gay men?
We're disappointed Labor wasn't given a conscience vote, and that several Liberal members voted for the bill. We think the bill was rushed through, with the call for a parliamentary inquiry rejected. This was an opportunity to look at the issues in depth.
Tasmania was the last state to legalise homosexuality in 1997. In 2026 it could be erased.
The bill now goes to the Legislative Council.