All major and minor parties, and independent candidates were asked the following eight questions by the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL), who describe themselves as “a non-partisan grassroots movement”.

Below are the colour-coded responses from the Tasmanian Liberal, Labor and Greens parties. The Nationals, Shooters, Fishers & Farmers parties along with a number of independents who did respond can be found here for each respective division.

The responses below have been summarised for brevity. Their in full responses can be found here.

Political Parties Respond to Key Ethical and Social Issues 3

1. Do you support the right of faith-based schools and organisations to only hire people who share their ethos?

The Liberal Party supports the current Tasmanian legislative framework, which allows religious-based schools exemptions under the Anti-Discrimination Act for employment and enrolment based on religious belief, affiliation, or activity, balancing anti-discrimination with fundamental freedoms.

The Tasmanian Labor Party has not made a definitive public commitment on whether to protect or remove the right of faith-based schools to engage in preferential hiring, having voted against increasing protections for religious schools to discriminate in favour of their own faith in 2015.

No, the Greens do not support faith-based schools discriminating in employment based on sexuality, gender identity, or relationship status, citing the Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Act.

2. Do you support the push to ban ‘conversion therapy’ (including prayer and faith-based counselling) for people who are struggling with their gender or sexual orientation?

The Liberal Party remains committed to banning conversion practices but is carefully considering varied public feedback on the Justice Miscellaneous (Conversion Practices) Bill to ensure the final legislation is effective and just.

Labor has pledged to pass a Conversion Practices Ban and supports the Tasmanian Law Reform Institute’s recommendations, which could criminalise voluntary religious counselling and penalise parents, and enforce an ‘affirmation-only’ approach for healthcare practitioners.

Yes, the Greens support banning conversion practices that aim to eradicate, change, or suppress sexuality or gender identity, while clarifying this would not include prayer or faith-based counselling.

3. Do you support banning biological males from competing in women’s sport?

The Liberal Party believes this matter should be determined by individual Sporting Codes, while generally supporting protection from discrimination and incitement of hatred for all community members.

As of July 2025, Tasmanian Labor candidates have not made official statements on banning biological males from competing in women’s sport, but the party has committed to a comprehensive LGBTQI+ Action Plan.

No, the Greens do not support discrimination against transgender people in sport or other aspects of life, advocating for equal opportunity for all Tasmanians.

4. Would you support the formation of a parliamentary committee to ensure the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry into Child Sex Abuse are properly implemented?

A Joint Parliamentary Committee has already been established, and an independent Child Safety Reform Implementation Monitor has been appointed, demonstrating the Liberal Government’s commitment to implementing all recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry.

While there’s no explicit statement on a parliamentary committee, Tasmanian Labor has shown strong support for legislative efforts related to the Commission of Inquiry and has criticised government delays in implementing recommendations.

Yes, the Greens support the formation of a parliamentary committee to ensure the proper implementation of the Commission of Inquiry into Child Sex Abuse recommendations.

5. Do you support banning late-term abortions (when a baby’s life is viable outside the womb), except where the mother’s life is at risk?

The Liberal Government supports Tasmanians’ access to necessary reproductive healthcare, including abortions, and will not alter current laws or policies in this area, always guided by expert and clinical advice.

The Tasmanian Labor Party does not support banning late-term abortion, having voted to liberalise abortion-to-birth in 2013 and supporting public funding and accessibility of abortion services.

No, the Greens do not support banning late-term abortions, as they support the rights of women to control their own bodies.

6. Do you support compulsory pre-commitment cards for poker machine users?

The Liberal Party is advancing other harm minimisation measures for Electronic Gaming Machines, such as facial recognition and Gaming Care officers, but does not currently support mandatory pre-commitment cards, citing practicability concerns.

The Tasmanian Labor Party does not currently support immediate mandatory pre-commitment cards for poker machine users, preferring to “wait and see” if adopted nationally, a shift from their 2018 stance.

Yes, the Greens support compulsory pre-commitment cards for poker machine users.

7. Do you support ongoing state funding of Dark Mofo?

The Liberal Party supports ongoing state funding for Dark Mofo through 2027, recognising its significant role in boosting tourism and hospitality during the quieter winter months and delivering a strong return on investment.

The Tasmanian Labor Party supports ongoing state funding for Dark Mofo, arguing it provides significant cultural and economic benefits to the state.

Yes, the Greens support ongoing state funding of Dark Mofo.

8. Do you support the decriminalisation of recreational drugs?

A re-elected Liberal Government will not support the decriminalisation of illicit drugs, instead focusing on harm reduction within the framework of the Tasmanian Drug Strategy 2024-2029.

While previously supporting a harm minimisation approach and decriminalisation of small quantities for personal use, Labor’s current stance on drug decriminalisation is less clear, with the Shadow Attorney-General supporting both health interventions for addiction and legal consequences for drug manufacturing and distribution.

Yes, the Greens support the decriminalisation of recreational drugs.


Blurb provided by ACL: Representing over 270,000 Australians dedicated to integrating Christian values such as truth, freedom, justice and compassion into the nation’s political landscape and societal well-being, the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) is a non-partisan grassroots movement.

Funded entirely by its supporters rather than government, the ACL empowers everyday Christians to influence public life through advocacy and informed voting.


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