The Sexuality and Gender Identity Conversion Practices Bill means from early next year conversion practices used on protected persons will attract up to a 12-month jail term or a fine of $24,000.
It also provides for civil penalties, giving the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal the power to issue orders against people complained about, and order redress and compensation.
One amendment was made to the bill this morning before being passed, after concerns were raised by several groups including the Association of Christian Schools and the ACT Law Society, that the definition of sexuality or gender identity conversion practice was “too broad and vague” and could lead to criminalising parents and teachers.
The amendment put forward by the Government will now allow a person “the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including the freedom to demonstrate their religion or belief in worship, observance, practice and teaching, either individually or as part of a community and whether in public or private,” under section 14 of the Human Rights Act 2004.
Skip to content
