In Tasmania in Australia, a legislation banning conversion practices passed the lower house of parliament.
The legislation particularly bans conversion practices, defined as attempts to change, suppress or eradicate a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
The legislation also identifies activities not considered as conversion practices, including a health practitioner providing health services that they consider appropriate, participating in online debate, religious prayer or parents discussing matters relating to sexual orientation, gender identity, sexual activity or religion with their children.
Four years ago, the Tasmanian Law Reform Institute recommended that such practices be outlawed.
The Greens legislation passed on the voices (meaning, no formal vote was cast) with the support of Labor, four of the seven independent MPs and Liberals Jeremy Rockliff, Bridget Archer and Roger Jaensch.
The bill will now progress to the upper house.
Currently, aside from Tasmania, Western Australia and the Northern Territory are the only Australian jurisdictions where conversion practices remain legal.
