By Michelle Pearse, Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) CEO
(This message is from emails sent to ACL supporters)
Across Australia, many Christians wonder:
“Can I still pray with or counsel someone who’s struggling with their sexuality?”
“Can I guide my children with a Biblical view of identity?”
No Christian parent, pastor, or counsellor should have to ask these questions.
But 85% of Australians now live under conversion therapy bans.
LACK OF CLARITY IN STATE ANTI-CONVERSION LAWS
A major issue with the various conversion practices/therapy legislation across the country, is the lack of clarity in each law.
It is my opinion that this legislation is created to silence the church from speaking truth regarding a Biblical sexual ethic, and some states achieve that more than others.
Serious so-called ‘conversion practices’, such as lobotomies, may have occurred decades ago.
There is little evidence that this type of practice still exists.
ACL FIGHTS TO PROTECT PRAYER AND PARENTING
Apart from opposing these laws outright, ACL has been lobbying in each state, where it arises, to water down the definition of ‘conversion practice.’
It seeks to ensure that it does not include prayer, preaching, parenting or counselling.
In Victoria and New South Wales, prayer and pastoral care directed toward changing or suppressing someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity, can carry legal penalties.
VICTORIA ANTI-CONVERSION LAWS:
In Victoria, maximum criminal penalties are up to 10 years’ imprisonment with severe fines for individuals and body corporates (which includes churches) when practices cause “serious injury” and criminal negligence is proven.
However, most matters are handled at a civil level through the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission.
Reports of non-criminal practices may lead to facilitation between the people involved (e.g. apology, targeted education) or further investigation.
For many churches, these processes are of most concern.
If unresolved, the matter can end up before a tribunal or court.
NEW SOUTH WALES ANTI-CONVERSION LAWS:
In New South Wales, maximum criminal penalties are up to 5 years imprisonment.
Civil matters go through tribunals, with damages capped at $100,000.
While NSW currently includes protections for parents, there remains ambiguity about whether this extends to other family members such as siblings, grandparents, or extended family – demonstrating how broadly these laws could still be applied.
Although the NSW legislation does not technically extend to preaching from the pulpit, a comic on the Anti-Discrimination NSW website makes this easy to confuse.
Titled ‘Conversion Practices in Australia’, the illustrations explicitly include imagery of preaching in a Christian context.
WHY THIS MATTERS
- The Victorian law specifically lists “prayer based practice, deliverance practice or exorcism” as examples of practices that could be captured.
- The Victorian Commission can investigate religious leaders, offer “targeted education,” and issue compliance notices.
- Their own guidance acknowledges that “the definition of change or suppression practices could capture some religious activities, such as pastoral conversations, in certain circumstances”.
- Sustained pastoral conversations directed at helping someone align their life with Biblical teaching on sexuality could potentially be reported and investigated.
THE FINE LINE OVER PRAYER IN NSW
The NSW Government states that The Conversion Practices Ban Act 2024 does not prohibit prayer.
However, “praying with or over a person with the intent to change or suppress their sexuality or gender identity is unlawful”.
Queensland’s ban applies only to health professionals, while the ACT and South Australia have broader bans, with some limitations.
ANTI-CONVERSION PLANS IN TASMANIA AND WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Draft legislation in Tasmania may soon be open for debate and Western Australia is committed to introducing new laws within weeks.
ACL is rallying churches and leaders in WA and across the nation.
We’re meeting with MPs, equipping pastors, and mobilising parents before it’s too late.
Western Australia could soon criminalise Christian parenting and pastoral ministry.
The pattern set in NSW and Victoria is spreading.
Our time to speak is now.
The post How Conversion Therapy Bans Impact Christians appeared first on Vision Christian Media.