Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices Prohibition Act 2021
| Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices Prohibition Act 2021 | |
|---|---|
| Parliament of Victoria | |
| |
| Considered by | Victorian Legislative Assembly |
| Passed | 27 August 2020 |
| Considered by | Victorian Legislative Council |
| Assented to | 4 February 2021 |
| Legislative history | |
| First chamber: Victorian Legislative Assembly | |
| Introduced by | Jill Hennessy MP, Attorney-General |
| Introduced | 13 August 2020 |
| First reading | 25 November 2020 |
| Second reading | 10 December 2020 |
| Third reading | 10 December 2020 |
| Second chamber: Victorian Legislative Council | |
| Member(s) in charge | Gayle Tierney MLC, Minister for Higher Education |
| First reading | 10 December 2020 |
| Second reading | 4 February 2021 |
| Third reading | 4 February 2021 |
| Status: Current legislation | |
The Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices Prohibition Act 2021 is an act of the Parliament of Victoria prohibiting conversion therapy.
Background
[edit]The Victorian Government opened the consultation on banning conversion therapy in 2020.[1]
Provisions
[edit]The legislation prohibits attempts to change the sexual orientation of an individual.[2]
It allows the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission to investigate reports of conversion therapy and refer them to police.[3]
Offences under the legislation can lead to a sentence of up to 10 years or a fine of up to A$10,000.[3]
Legislative passage
[edit]All 55 MPs in the Legislative Assembly voted for the bill with opposition MPs abstaining.[4]
Two MLCs voted against the bill in the Legislative Council.[2]
Further developments
[edit]The leader of the Presbyterian church in Australia said that its pastors would not be directed to obey the legislation.[5]
References
[edit]- ^ Symons, Bec (7 November 2020). "Gay conversion practices to be outlawed by the Victorian Government". ABC News. Archived from the original on 1 December 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
- ^ a b "Victoria bans gay conversion practices after 12-hour debate". The Guardian. 5 February 2021. Archived from the original on 23 February 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
- ^ a b Marozzi, Matilda (3 February 2021). "Here is what we know about Victoria's gay conversion bill". ABC News. Archived from the original on 19 April 2023. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
- ^ Fernando, Gavin; Dinham, Abby (11 December 2020) [2020-12-10]. "Gay conversion survivor Abanob says Victoria's move to ban the practice will save lives". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 23 February 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
- ^ McGowan, Michael (18 February 2021). "Presbyterian church head says Victorian ban on gay conversion practices should be ignored". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 18 February 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2025.