Liberal Nationals push to delay outlawing gay conversion therapy practices

Daniel Andrews rarely opens up about his faith, but the Victorian Premier fired up about religion during debate in state parliament today.

Daniel Andrews has slammed faith leaders critical of his laws to ban gay conversion therapy, condemning anybody who would support the “worst form of bigoted quackery imaginable”.

The proposed laws include prison for up to 10 years or hefty fines for anyone caught trying to suppress or change someone‘s sexuality.

In a fiery speech to parliament on Thursday, the Victorian Premier admitted he rarely spoke of his faith as it was “personal and private”, but said bigotry disguised as religion was an “insult”.

“To be told you are broken, you are wrong, you are a sin, you’re unwell, infected even, just for being who you are is deeply offensive – most of all it is cruel,” Mr Andrews said.

“Some faith leaders have been critical of these provisions, critical of a law to ban the worst form of bigoted quackery imaginable.

“This is not kindness and love, or the protection of the vulnerable and persecuted. This is not something to be proud of. This is not what I pray for.”

Premier Daniel Andrews says a bill to criminalise gay conversion therapy will save lives. Picture: David Geraghty/NCA NewsWire

The government also intends to outlaw harmful “religious-based practices” and “prayer-based practices” in the bill – such as exorcisms, deliverance or spiritual guidance designed to overcome same-sex attraction.

But the Liberal Party asked the Andrews government to delay progress on its laws to ban gay conversion therapy, raising concerns that some components of the bill could interfere with family unity.

Liberal Nationals MP for Caulfield David Southwick called for more consultation with stakeholders over summer before the legislation was passed.

“The Liberal Nationals support outlawing harmful LGBTI conversion therapy practices that have no basis in medical science and could certainly lead to long-term trauma,” he said.

“What concerns me is that the conversation of the parent to be a parent and to be able to work with the child, that potential conversation may effectively be limited with this bill going forward in terms of what the rights and responsibilities of that child are.”

Liberal Nationals MP David Southwick wants more consultation with stakeholders over summer before legislation on outlawing gay conversion therapy is passed. Picture: David Geraghty/NCA NewsWire

The politician of a Jewish background said the state government “owed it” to Victorians “to get this right”.

“There are situations where particularly in this bill the opportunity of potentially a child becoming a ward of the state or parents having legal action taken against them because a conversation may be questionable,” Mr Southwick said.

“One of the concerns that me as well as many others have is around freedoms of expression, around freedoms to live your life, around freedoms of speech … in terms of this bill we need to look at getting those balances right in terms of those freedoms.”

Minister for Health Martin Foley says a bill to outlaw gay conversion therapy should unite Victorians. Picture: David Geraghty/NCA NewsWire

But Minister for Health Martin Foley argued that a “last minute call” for a pause should be seen as ”an attempt to delay and prosecute arguments”.

“This bill comes from extensive processes of reporting, review, consultation and debate over a number of years and should give this House every confidence that the issues have been thoroughly canvassed and considered,” he said.

“This bill is in the interest of not just LGBTIQ Victorians but all Victorians who see strength in our diversity – this is a bill that should unite us.”

Opposition Leader Michael O’Brien says the bill impacts on prayer and religious freedom. Picture: David Geraghty/NCA NewsWire

Opposition Leader Michael O’Brien has previously failed to take a clear stance on the bill.

While making it clear conversion therapies were “archaic and inhumane”, he raised concerns that some of the measures in the bill impacted on prayer and religious freedom.

The legislation being debated is before the house.

Originally published as Liberal Nationals push to delay outlawing gay conversion therapy practices