Media release – Christian Schools Australia and Australian Association of Christian Schools, 19 December 2023
Christian Schools Report Card on Conversion Practices Bill Says Government “Must Try Harder”
Christian Schools say that the Tasmanian Government “must try harder” on the proposed Justice Miscellaneous (Conversion Practices) Bill 2024.
Mark Spencer, Director of Public Policy for Christian Schools Australia expressed concerns about the Bill, “we believe these laws are a solution in search of a problem as there is no evidence that conversion practices are a widespread issue in Tasmania.”
“In particularly concerned about the inclusion of gender identity in the bill,” he said, “when nobody can provide us with any clear indication or examples of what the problem is that the government is trying to solve”. Mr Spencer that “if there is a problem the government needs to address it involves the regret increasingly been felt by young adults after being provided with little real support for alternatives to medical transition at an early age.”
The concerns regarding the inclusion of practices related to gender identity have been strengthened following the recent release by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists of updated guidance materials which recognises that there “are methodological limitations in studies which assess the effectiveness of all models of treatment on the mental health of children and adolescents with Gender Dysphoria” and indicates that “[p]sychiatric practice will be informed by further emerging evidence”.
It then goes on to say in relation to treatment of children and adolescents that “[t]he risk of intervention needs to be weighed against the risk of non-intervention, in consideration of the individual circumstances.”
“Health practitioners should be free to treat young people experiencing gender dysphoria without fear of being constrained by unnecessary gender conversion laws. We support laws which outlaw harmful, coercive practices related to sexuality or gender identity and call upon the Tasmanian Government to ensure there are no unintended consequences impacting the best care and support for young people”, indicated Vanessa Cheng, Executive Officer of Australian Association of Christian Schools.
“Parents, teachers and church leaders must be able to have open, honest conversations with children about these sensitive topics without fear of being silenced by overbearing laws as we have seen in states such as Victoria,” Mrs Cheng said.
The Australian Association of Christian Schools and Christian Schools Australia will both provide a submission to the consultation and encourage concerned parents, teachers and churches to also have their say to ensure the voices of all Tasmanians are heard as part of this process.
Media release – Equality Tasmania, 19 December 2023
Christian Schools Wrong on Conversion Law
Equality Tasmania says Christian Schools Australia and Australian Association of Christian Schools are wrong to say conversion legislation is “a solution in search of a problem,” spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said,
“National and local research, including research commissioned by the Tasmanian Government, shows that 5% of LGBTIQA+ have been through formal conversion practices.”
“Half of young LGBTIQA+ people who have experienced conversion practices have experienced them in the last twelve months.”
“This should come as no surprise given Tasmanian clergy like Pastor Wes Bredenhof of the Free Reform Church in Launceston have stated publicly they undertake conversion practices.”
Mr Croome also said Christian Schools Australia and Australian Association of Christian Schools are wrong to suggest conversion legislation will constrain or change clinical treatment of young transgender and gender diverse people.
“The Tasmanian Law Reform Institute recommended that conversion legislation not alter existing clinical guidelines for the treatment of young trans and gender diverse people.”
“We support that recommendation.”
Equality Tasmania has panned the Tasmanian Government bill saying that the definition of conversion practices is too narrow, the exemptions are too wide and the penalties almost unenforceable.
“The Government’s draft is worse than useless because it will give a green light to some of the most common and most harmful conversion practices,” Mr Croome said.
