Women Speak Tasmania is calling on Premier Jeremy Rockliff to support a proper parliamentary inquiry into claims that conversion practices are being carried out in Tasmania today.
Dr Caballero said:
“WST questions claims widely circulated by some MPs, Equality Tasmania and Rodney Croome that one in 20 LGBTQ+ Tasmanians has experienced conversion practices in recent years.
“These claims are not supported by the Tasmania Law Reform Institute’s 2022 report, which stated on page 40: ‘No data about the nature and prevalence of SOGI conversion practices in Tasmania exists. No scientific study has been published on the prevalence of SOGI conversion practices in Tasmania or Australia.’
“Where does the one-in-20 figure come from? What period does it cover, and how can this data be used to claim that Tasmanians are experiencing these practices today?
“These questions deserve proper answers.”
WST considers these claims fearmongering to fast-track a Bill that faces widespread opposition, particularly from medico-legal experts.
A parliamentary inquiry would allow all the evidence to be scrutinised, relevant witnesses to be heard, and the proposed legislation to be thoroughly examined before any debate in Parliament on a Bill intended to prohibit practices whose current prevalence has not been established.
Women Speak Tasmania calls on Premier Jeremy Rockliff to show leadership and support an inquiry to establish the facts and address the concerns dividing the Tasmanian community.
ENDS
Media Contact:
Dr Elizabeth Caballero, retired GP