The New South Wales government has been accused of ramming its conversion practices ban through parliament in a marathon debate before the law was passed early on 22 March.
The upper house approved the legislation without amendments after 6am, little over a week after it was introduced in the lower house.
The new laws outlaw therapies or violence aimed at “converting” LGBT persons to heterosexuality or traditional gender norms.
It also makes provisions for the expression and practice of religious belief about sexuality and human relationships, in response to faith leaders’ concerns that the legislation would erode religious freedom in the state.
But religious freedom advocates say gaps still remain which may allow the new law to encroach too far into faith and family life.
Criticisms of the bill also included that it was unnecessary given existing laws, may potentially promote harmful treatment of gender-confused children, and prevent some people, including people of faith, from accessing the support they need or providing the support requested of them.
The bill passed swiftly through the lower house and an attempt to refer the bill to a parliamentary inquiry to allow for public consultation and scrutiny was overturned by a close vote in the upper house on 19 March.
NSW wakes up a safer place for LGBTQIA+ people with the passage of the Conversion Practices Ban Bill
