The NSW Labor government has reneged on its promise to introduce legislation this year that would outlaw harmful gay conversion practices.
Church groups and LGBTI+ advocates are behind the delay, calling for more time to ensure the legislation strikes the right balance.
Outlawing conversion practices was an election promise by Minns, who offered a guarantee earlier this year that legislation would be introduced by the end of 2023.
In October it was reported that Labor was going to bring forward its bill. This came after it was accused of putting the legislation on ice.
Minns said he would still meet his commitment to the LGBTI+ community but insisted more time was needed.
“It’s clear, though, that we need more time and more consultation and I want to get this right,” Minns said.
“Stakeholders have asked for more time to work through this.
“We’ll continue to engage and consult with a view to bringing a bill early next year.”
Independent MP for Sydney Alex Greenwich, who has his own equality bill before parliament, was one of those stakeholders.
He had written a letter to Minns asking for more time to properly consult with survivors of gay conversion practices.
“While reform is urgent, I share the LGBTIQA+ community’s view that it is more important that time is taken to ensure that any legislation is done right and provides the best opportunity to prevent LGBTQ conversion practices and reduce associated harm,” his letter said.
Greenwich said he would continue to work with the Minns government on the legislation, hoping to “achieve significant progress early in 2024”.
The Catholic Archbishop of Sydney, Anthony Fisher, also wrote to Minns claiming that the legislation had a number of problematic proposals.
“Rushing legislation as sensitive as this will likely result in uncertainty and unintended consequences, especially for children experiencing gender dysphoria and their parents and carers,” Fisher said.
Equality Australia said the delay would only add to the backlog of reform on LGBTI+ issues.
“We cannot allow safe harbours for abuse to remain in any setting, including religious settings,” said Equality Australia’s legal director Ghassan Kassisieh.
“Banning these horrible practices must be a priority for our government.”
He said now was the time to listen to survivors of the practice and deliver what was needed to end the practice.
“The NSW government must deliver legislation that prevents the psychological damage and trauma that conversion practices cause, in whichever settings they occur.”
Eliot Hastie is a senior news producer at Channel Ten, reporting on a range of general stories, specialising in foreign affairs and LGBTQ+ stories. He’s also a reporter for Gay Sydney News, where he covers LGBTQIA+ culture, politics and nightlife. He previously helped to build and launch ausbiz, Australia's only live streaming finance news channel, where he was also an executive producer and host. He has previously worked as a finance and business journalist for publications including Fintech Business, Real Estate Business and other Momentum Media titles. Eliot holds a journalism degree from the University of Westminster and brings experience in both broadcast and digital reporting. Contact Eliot: eliot.hastie@gaysydneynews.com.au
