Media Release
Friday September 29th 2023
ASSURANCE SOUGHT ON CONVERSION BAN
Equality Tasmania wants an assurance from Premier Jeremy Rockliff and acting Attorney-General, Michael Ferguson, that a ban on conversion practices will still be introduced by the end of the year.
The group's call comes in the wake of the resignation from parliament of former Attorney-General, Elise Archer, who was working on conversion legislation.
Equality Tasmania spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said,
"We will write to the Premier and the acting Attorney-General asking for their assurance that the Government's commitment to a conversion ban by the end of 2023 remains in place."
"It has been a year and a half since the Tasmanian Law Reform Institute released its report calling for a conversion ban and the Premier committed to the reform."
"Vulnerable LGBTIQA+ Tasmanians continue to be subject to the torture of conversion practices and the longer the State Government delays the more damage will be done."
Mr Croome said other important reforrms being pursued by Ms Archer should also not be delayed.
They include reforms to legislation expunging convictions under the state's former laws against homosexuality and cross-dressing, and reforms to the Sentencing Act allowing stronger penalties for hate-motivated crime against LGBTIQA+ people.
For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.
