NSW state election: Vaucluse candidates discuss gay conversion therapy legislation

A Vaucluse state election panel – conducted by the Anglican Church – saw candidates pressed to share their position on gay conversion therapy legislation. See where they stand.

Vaucluse Liberal candidate Kellie Sloane. Picture: Renee Nowytarger.

Candidates vying for the seat of Vaucluse were wedged on their stance on gay conversion therapy legislation at an Anglican Church-organised panel Thursday night – hours before an independent MP introduced a bill aiming the banish the practice in NSW.

Reverend Doctor Michael Jensen, Minister at St Mark’s Anglican Church in up-market Darling Point pushed candidates on a contentious detail of Victoria’s recently passed legislation which made it a criminal offence an individual to carry out gay conversion therapy.

This includes religious, or prayer-based, practices.

Gay conversion therapy, also known as change or suppression practices seek, to change or hide an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity, and can include teachings, counselling, spiritual care activities, or other psychological or medical interventions.

The Victorian Bill states actions which supports or affirms a person’s gender identity or sexual orientation and positively assists and affirms the person is not considered a change or suppression practice.

Vaucluse election panel event held at St Marks Anglican Church Darling Point.

Rev Dr Jensen told the panel if the Victorian legislation was adopted in NSW, he believed it would be illegal for “a person like me to give religious counsel or even pray with someone struggling with their sexuality or gender identity”.

Liberal candidate Kellie Sloane, Labor candidate Margaret Merton, Greens candidate Dominic WY Kanak, and independent candidate Karen Freyer appeared at the panel convened by the Anglican parish.

The Minister pressured the candidates on whether they would oppose legislation that prevented the exercise of religious activities with consent.

Vaucluse Liberal candidate Kellie Sloane is running to replace retiring MP Gabrielle Upton. Photo: Renee Nowytarger.

Liberal candidate Kellie Sloane said she believed the prayer component of the bill was “open to interpretation” but stressed none of the candidates had not seen the details of the New South Wales legislation.

“It’s important we … protect individuals from harm,” she said, but supported the ability of the church to counsel people who consented to the support of responsible individuals in private and safe situations.

“I do wish to say that someone who is struggling with their sexual identity, who identifies differently … they’re not broken and they don’t need fixing,” she said.

Former journalist Margaret Merton is running as the Labor candidate in Vaucluse.

Labor candidate Margaret Merton reiterated the Labour Party’s commitment to establishing a NSW Faith Affairs Council to “ensure that all religious faiths have a voice at the table and an opportunity to put forward their issues for fair consideration”.

Ms Merton rejected the idea the law should intervene in individuals ability to engage in private practices such as prayer.

“If two people agree or ask to pray together, I don’t understand how that could be at all problematic.”

Independent candidate Karen Freyer told the panel she had “an issue” with the question’s assumption. “We don’t need to pray for you,” she said.

Karen Freyer hopes to up-end the Liberal stronghold of Vaucluse.

Independent Sydney MP Alex Greenwich on Friday announced he had drafted the Conversion Practices Prohibition Bill 2023, which will bring NSW in line with Victoria, Queensland and the ACT where the practice has been outlawed.

Multiculturalism and Seniors Minister Mark Coure tweeted Friday morning in support of the bill.

“I absolutely stand by @AlexGreenwich on this issue. It is time this appalling practice is cast out of our society,” Mr Coure tweeted.

Queensland banned gay conversion therapy in August 2020.

(L-R) Christopher Lewis, Alex Greenwich & Mike Galvin in Green Park at Darlinghurst. Photo: AAP IMAGE / Troy Snook. Mr Greenwich led the leading the charge in NSW to legalise voluntary assisted dying.

Victoria passed its Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices Prohibition Bill in 2021.

The reforms state anyone found trying to suppress or change another person’s sexuality or gender identity faces up to 10 years’ jail or fines of almost $10,000 if it can be proved their actions caused serious injury and gave the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission more powers to deal with complaints.

Mr Greenwich has warned his support in a minority government would be contingent on backing for his bill, if Labor or the Coalition fail to win enough seats to govern with a majority.

On Saturday, NSW Labor leader Chris Minns promised to ban gay conversion therapy if elected next month