Tasmania "Conversion Practices" Bill Update

The Bill has improved. But one serious threat must be fixed.

The Conversion Practices Prohibition Bill before Tasmania’s Parliament is significantly better than the earlier draft.

It now provides clearer protection for prayer, religious teaching, general religious requirements and parental discussions. The separate offence for conversion practices directed towards children, which did not require proof of harm, has also been removed.

These changes did not happen on their own. More than 1,200 Tasmanians signed the petition, and hundreds emailed their MPs. That public response helped make these improvements possible.

But a serious problem remains.

The definition of a “conversion practice” can still capture a single act, whether or not the person consented and even if no harm occurred. If that conduct is directed towards a child, it could then be classified as “child abuse”.

If the Bill passes as written, conduct falling well short of physical, sexual or serious psychological abuse could receive one of the law’s most serious labels.

Only weeks remain before Parliament votes.

Add your name today. Help finish the job and fix this Bill before it becomes law.

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You can make your voice heard in two powerful steps:

➡️ Sign the petition

➡️ Email your Members of Parliament

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Signatures 1,832

Goal 2,000

To: The Premier, Speaker and Members of the Tasmanian House of Assembly

We, the undersigned residents of Tasmania, draw to the attention of the House our deep concern about the Conversion Practices Prohibition Bill 2026 proposed by the Greens.

As drafted, a single conversation or prayer about a person’s sexuality or gender identity, requested by an adult, or one loving conversation between a parent and their own child about theirs, could be treated as a crime, and could even be classified in law as child abuse. This is true even where nobody is harmed and nobody complains.

This also leaves churches, synagogues and mosques open to child abuse redress claims over a single prayer, with no requirement to prove any harm occurred.

Your petitioners therefore request the House to reject this Bill in its current form, and to ensure any future legislation does not criminalise prayer, pastoral care or parents who are doing their job.