Tasmanian Greens Leader, Cassy O’Connor MP, responded publicly today to the Australian Christian Lobby’s (ACL) advertisement in the Tasmanian Mercury newspaper (copy attached). The advertisement in question details significant opposition to aspects of the Tasmanian Law Reform Commission’s (TLRI) proposed laws that would criminalise parents for counselling their children not to pursue a transgender pathway.
ACL’s Tasmanian Director, Christopher Brohier, said, “We welcome Ms O’Connor commitment, on behalf of the Greens party, to only support a conversion therapy bill that will not in any way penalise parents or grandparents. While this would be a significant departure from the voting record of Greens MPs around the country, we look forward to them advocating for this stated position if such conversion therapy legislation is tabled.”
“It is hoped that the Liberal government will take note of the strong reaction from the community, and from peak medical bodies such as the National Association of Practising Psychiatrists who are concerned that the proposed regulation could prohibit any care other than facilitating a child to transition.
“Of great concern to Tasmanian parents, the proposed ‘conversion therapy’ legislation prohibits any counselling which warns against transitioning and states that ‘no domain or area of conduct should be excised from the definition of conversion practices.’ Parents, medical practitioners, psychiatrists and counsellors must be permitted to counsel children in a manner that is in the child’s best interest.
“Ignoring the global movement against ‘affirmation only’ therapy for gender dysphoria will ultimately be to any party’s peril. A recent survey has put the Rockliff government on notice that supporting the flawed ‘affirmation only’ model of therapy for gender confusion will cost them votes”, concluded Brohier.
ENDS
