The treasurer of New South Wales (NSW), Matt Kean, has expressed his wholehearted support for a movement to ban gay conversion practices in the state, despite the NSW premier, Dominic Perrottet, refusing to comment on the matter. Alex Greenwich, a powerful MP in the crossbench, has made the ban on the practice a prerequisite for his support in the case of a hung parliament following the state election in March. While Kean has not seen the details of Greenwich’s bill to outlaw the practice, he supports the concept of banning gay conversion therapy.
In contrast, Perrottet stated only that dealing with such issues requires sensitivity and tolerance, and said he has yet to review the Greenwich bill, adding that it would be a matter for his cabinet. However, Kean has previously expressed his opposition to Katherine Deves, the unsuccessful Liberal party candidate in the Warringah constituency during the federal election, whose comments on transgender athletes sparked controversy. Multiculturalism Minister Mark Coure has also stated his support for Greenwich’s bill, arguing that it is time the practice was eradicated from society.
Despite the caution expressed by some religious groups about unintended consequences, Greenwich’s bill would permit churches to articulate beliefs or religious principles as long as they do not aim to change or suppress an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity. It would also impose penalties of up to 10 years in prison or significant fines for individuals who try to alter someone’s sexuality or gender identity, while complaints would be referred to the state’s Health Care Complaints Commission or police.
