The proposal of so-called conversion practices legislation is unfortunately a theme right now in the chambers of NSW Parliament.
The Independent MP Alex Greenwich and the new Minns Government have both proposed legislation aimed at banning so-called ‘conversion practices’. The stated aim of the legislative ban is to prohibit practices that seek to alter an individual’s “sexual orientation” and “gender identity”.
The intent of the proposed laws is often masqueraded behind sensationalist talk of former cruel practices that no longer exist in Australia. However, in truth, the proposed reforms are far more ideological with the direct aim of cancelling a biblical perspective on sex and sexual behaviour.
The passing of currently proposed ‘conversion practices’ legislation would see:
watch now
Joshua Rowe, State Director NSW
A three-part series on conversion legislation: ideologically underpinned, facilitating harm, and criminalising a fundamental right to religious freedom.
Taking action today is imperative to stop these ‘conversion’ laws sweeping our nation.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Write to your MP
Join us in sending an email to your MPs sharing your concerns about this proposed legislation.
Use this page to watch the pre-election promises made by Labor MPs to protect the rights of parents, pastors, and medical professionals to share a biblical view on sex and sexuality. Then navigate to your local MP and electorate to find:
A ‘conversion’ practice is most often defined as any practice which seeks to change or suppress someone’s ‘gender identity’ or ‘sexual orientation’ (SOGI).
An easier way to define what this means is any practice which does not affirm someone’s misconceptions about their sex or their same-sex desires.
Proponents of ‘conversion’ legislation often allude publicly to coercive or abusive practices. However, masquerading behind these claims are provisions that outlaw certain prayers, parental rights, and clinicians’ conscience when offering care.
In February this year the Minns Government confirmed their intention to pass some form of ‘conversion’ legislation through NSW Parliament. At that time pre-election promises were made to not mirror Victorian conversion legislation and to ensure that there were adequate protections for religious freedom.
In August, the government released a summary consultation paper to receive feedback from relevant stakeholders in a private consultation process. Unfortunately, when details were leaked by the SMH, what was revealed is that the legislation closely followed the Victorian model and provided little protection for religious freedom.
The ACL continues to work strategically with other faith groups to hold the Minns Government accountable to those promises. The legislation is not set to surface until the first half of 2024.
Alex Greenwich, Independent MP for Sydney, and well-known for his LGBTQI+ activism, introduced his private members bill into NSW Parliament in mid-August. His ‘Equality’ bill is an Omnibus bill which combines multiple provisions into one piece of legislation. The atrocities he has suggested include:
The decriminalisation of public acts of sex in front of churches, schools, and hospitals
A ban on conversion practices modelled on the Victorian legislation
A provision to allow individuals over the age of sixteen to legally ‘identity as the other sex’ without any medical procedure or test.
The threat to Christians and all Australian citizens is multi-pronged:
Parental Rights
Under current proposals, parental rights to protect their child from irreversible medical procedures and to teach their children that sex is biological, and binary would be under threat.
Children will be Harmed
A recent expose on Channel 7 program spotlight (make words a link) highlighted the travesty of young children and adults who have been irreversibly harmed by ‘affirmation therapy’.
Current proposals enshrine ‘affirmation therapy’ as the only way forward for those experiencing sex confusion or same-sex attraction. More NSW children will be encouraged on a lifelong pathway of irreversible medicalisation, starting with puberty blockers, then hormone therapy and plastic surgery.
Freedom of speech/religion
The ‘conversion’ legislation poses a significant threat to freedom of speech/religion.
Christian pastors will be threatened by these laws to shy away from teaching a biblical view on sex and sexual behaviour.
Australian parents who desire to bring up their children in accordance with their biological sex will be coerced to adopting an ideological view of gender and sex.
