Ten Problems with Victoria’s Conversion Therapy Bill

27 November 2020

2.9 MINS

While Christian Porter has delayed the introduction of the Religious Freedom Bill until 2021 due to COVID-19, the Attorney-General Jill Hennessy has sought to make hay while the sun shines. Hennessy has introduced the Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices Prohibition Bill 2020 into the Victorian Parliament, and it has already passed the first reading.

There are a plethora of problems associated with this particular Bill, which Murray Campbell has outlined here. But if you think that this affects only those in pox-Victoria, then you’d be wrong. Just consider this section from one of the Bill’s many addendums:

What does this mean? Will the Victorian police seek to extradite someone in NSW — or even an Australian citizen living overseas — who sought to persuade their transgender family member not to cut off their breasts or penis?

Or what about a Christian bookseller who has a national distribution which sells into Victoria? Under this proposed legislation, if they sold a commentary on the New Testament letter of 1 Corinthians or Romans that refers to homosexuality as sinful, will they be prosecuted and hauled before the Victorian Courts?

Then there’s the case of a Christian doctor who professionally counsels or refers someone who identifies as LGBTIQ to conversion therapy. Under this particular legislation they would also be open to prosecution.

What’s more, will anyone be allowed a conscience vote on any of this? Talk about a massive over-reach. But then again, this is Daniel Andrews “Danistan” that we’re referring to here. The same government that has channelled their inner Marxist during the latest pandemic in shutting down the entire economy and community.

The issue becomes even more significant when you start to drill down on the specifics. Because the devil really is in the details. From my reading of the Bill there are at least ten major areas of concern:

First, someone can be prosecuted even if the person involved had consented to changing their sexual identity or behaviour.

Second, a forbidden practice includes — but is not limited to — counselling or even offering prayer!

Third, the person making the allegation can remain completely anonymous, thus denying the accused any right to know who is making the complaint.

Fourth, there is a complete re-definition as to what now qualifies as domestic violence.

Fifth, harassment is now even distributing literature which promotes that a person can change.

Sixth, if a person is found guilty then the Commission can send a person off for re-education.

Seventh, following on from this, persons who have been found guilty will be included under measures to ensure that they “comply with the Act”.

Eight, those found guilty will be put on a public register to be “named-and-shamed”.

Nine, traditional Christian doctrine is now the subject of criminal prosecution. Murray Campbell says that in an Explanatory memo — which doesn’t hold as much legal weight as the Bill itself but that a Court may refer to the explanatory note — The Health Complaints Commissioner’s Report for the Government adds this information:

Conversion therapy/practices reinforced homosexuality as a form of “brokenness” and Church teachings that homosexuality is sinful.

Ten, following on from this, what would have only a short while ago been considered a virtue, a report from The Human Rights Law Centre has denounced any such “conversion practice” which includes encouraging someone to remain sexually celibate:

Instead, they are beginning to promote activities designed to help same-sex attracted people live chaste and celibate lives, in accordance with the sexual ethics of their religious traditions.

All this is quite frankly, unbelievable. And incredibly, the mainstream media have been deathly quiet regarding it. Such is the power of the LGBTIQ juggernaut. They have become he/she/it who must be obeyed. Otherwise it’s off to the gulags.

[Photo by Mercedes Mehling on Unsplash]

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12 Comments

  1. Ruth Dukes 30 November 2020 at 10:19 am - Reply

    Thanks Mark for your research and giving us the facts. Certainly and mighty testing time ahead.
    God bless you and your family
    Ruth (Kingaroy QLD)

    • Mark Powell 3 December 2020 at 3:19 pm - Reply

      Hi Ruth, glad it was helpful.

  2. Marion 30 November 2020 at 1:08 pm - Reply

    These propositions are ATROCIOUS and must be fought with all our strength. The Enemy is still trying to legally justify his behavior!

  3. Peter Hall 30 November 2020 at 1:40 pm - Reply

    Given that both the Old and New Testaments consider same sex relationships sinful it would mean that in Victoria it may be a criminal act to sell or give Bibles to people. The same may well apply to the Quran of Islam and the Torah of Judaism, making this a direct attack on the freedom of religion in contravention of the Australian Constitution.

  4. Christine Crawford 30 November 2020 at 2:03 pm - Reply

    Oh my! This sounds like China and her treatment of minorities! Hey Christians, stop playing church- stand up and be counted!

  5. Ross Kirkwood 30 November 2020 at 3:06 pm - Reply

    This is a very helpful analysis for us to distribute to other Christians, many who are not aware!!!

    What are the churches doing to counter this un-Godly law making ???

  6. David Tan 10 December 2020 at 1:08 am - Reply

    If this bill is passed it would be illegal to be in possession of the Bible. Victorians may have to use LGBTIQ friendly Bible version.

  7. Peter Martin 10 December 2020 at 10:34 am - Reply

    This is an evil piece of legislation which overturns and is contrary to Section 116 of our Federal Constitution which follows the Constitution of the USA where their moto, In God we Trust, [ included in the preamble – relying on the blessing of Almighty God] and their first amendment [ Section 116 ] were included in our Constitution – thus passing the power over religion from the States to the Federal Parliament. Like wise this legislation breaches the UN Charter..

  8. Suzette Durandt 10 December 2020 at 2:40 pm - Reply

    Yes lets stop playing church and stop buckling under the bullies of political correctness. Praying for Church leaders and congregations to wake up and stand for the truth written in Gods Holy Word. If we don’t get out of our little bless me clubs we will not escape the deluge of evil which is ultimately aimed at overturning the set times and seasons of our God. Let us take a lesson from the old testament when Gods people turned away from His laws He allowed the enemy to enslave them until such a time that they cried out to Him with all their hearts.
    Thank you Canberra Declaration for all the good work you do and praying that we will loudly raise our voices for His truth for there is a great harvest of souls still to come into His glorious Kingdom.

  9. Tony Fazio 19 December 2020 at 10:08 am - Reply

    Hi Mark
    Thank you for your well researched analysis into the bill!
    This is none other than a diabolical move to silence the believer, the Word of God and to immobilise the church with fear whilst sin goes rampant! Religious Freedom and the democratic right to express the opinion of believers is gone!
    What has the Christian church done about this bill? What can be done to stop it?
    It seems unbelievable that in 2020 the rights of the believers and right to express our opinion is largely being eroded away!

    Away with socialist/communist/and Markscism’s diabolical agenda!

    Wake up Citizens of Australia and Christian believers !

  10. Ian 19 December 2020 at 2:05 pm - Reply

    Your’e on your mark there Mark. Thanks for making it plain and clear. Where are the churches standing up to this rubbish. Perhaps we should propose some laws like this to protect us and our families, churches and communities from such un-Godly actions, and there’s more to come. The social impact and expected suicides from adherents to these evil behaviours will be felt down the track, and counsellors using Christian/Bible based materials could be filling our courts and gaols instead of pedophiles, criminals, murderers etc. Oh well, there’s a missionfield opening up for those game enough to enter, but with preaching in there it could lead to multiple offences and perhaps life in there. Its still a captive audience and the guillotine hasn’t been provided to the penal system , that is… yet.

  11. Phillip Servaes 4 January 2021 at 7:08 pm - Reply

    The Conversion Practices Prohibition Bill 2020 is dangerous destructive anti family, legislation. It attacks religious freedom, has no commendable attributes. No government has any cause or justification to intrude in the family, denying parental control, interfering in parent’s rights to rear their children. The home is the rightful place where, love ,care, support and encouragement are provided. The parental home is the foundational basis to society. This Bill has evil intent. Its’ so called “progressive” thinking is socialist ideology, ultimately totalitarianism. No democratic society has place for such repressive draconian regime. The Bill must not become law. Its’ place is the rubbish bin.

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