Liberals break conversion ban promise

The minority Liberal government has broken its promise to ban damaging conversion practices, which inflict lifelong harm to people subjected to them.

The Tasmanian Law Reform Institute recommended a ban on conversion practices in May last year, and the government promised to introduce legislation to ban this abhorrent practice by the end of the year.

The University of Tasmania 2021 report Telling us the Story found that five per cent of LGBTIQA+ Tasmanians reported being subjected to conversion practices, and that those who had were more likely to experience PTSD and attempt suicide than those who hadn’t.

Today was the last parliamentary day where the Premier could have tabled such a bill, and keep his promise of action by the end of 2023.

However true to form, he has not followed through, with no bill tabled today.

Jeremy Rockliff says he’s an ally to the LGBTIQA+ community but today he has seriously let the community down.

Every other jurisdiction in Australia has either banned or committed to a ban of these harmful practices – which will soon leave Tasmania the only jurisdiction still allowing it.

The very real and present danger of Tasmania being the last state without a ban is that our state will become a “safe haven” for these harmful practices which will put people at serious and dangerous risk.

What a slap in the face to the people who have suffered lifelong harm from conversion practices.

November 16 2023