Faith Leaders' Resources

The Tasmanian Greens have released draft laws banning “conversion practices” that will have serious impacts on religious freedom, families and faith communities.

As drafted, a single conversation or prayer about a person’s sexuality, requested by an adult, or one loving conversation between a parent and their own child, 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 leaves churches, synagogues and mosques open to child abuse redress claims over a single prayer, with no requirement to prove any harm occurred. It also holds faith communities criminally liable for the actions of their volunteers – even if they did not approve, or even know of, their actions. 

The bill also gives the Antidiscrimination Commissioner sweeping powers to investigate organisations – including faith communities – to find “conversion practices” and enforce changes in practice. 

The most important thing your community can do is to sign the petition, write to your MPs and organise a meeting. 

Most MPs are unaware of how bad the legislation it, or how many people are concerned, so a loving meeting, and many respectful emails will help inform and persuade.