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Gay conversion therapy banned in Victoria after marathon debate
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Gay conversion therapy has been outlawed in Victoria following a marathon debate in the upper house on Thursday.
The bill passed the Victorian Parliament 27 votes to nine after a 12-hour sitting in the Legislative Council, where Liberal MPs Bev McArthur and Bernie Finn defied their party’s position and crossed the floor to vote against the government’s legislation.
Crossbench MPs Jeff Bourman, Clifford Hayes, Stuart Grimley, Tania Maxwell, David Limbrick, Tim Quilty and Catherine Cumming also voted against the bill.
Under the reforms, anyone found trying to suppress or change another person’s sexuality or gender identity faces up to 10 years’ jail or fines of almost $10,000 if it can be proved beyond reasonable doubt that their actions caused serious injury.
Upper house MPs debating gay conversion therapy brisbanetimes.com.au - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from brisbanetimes.com.au Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Gay conversion debate sparks emotional scenes Controversy has broken out in Victorian Parliament over its gay conversion laws after an heartfelt speech by one Labor MP descended into arguments.
Politics by KIERAN ROONEY
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Subscriber only Controversy has broken out in Victorian Parliament during debate over the government s gay conversion laws after an emotional speech by Labor MP Harriet Shing descended into arguments. Ms Shing, the parliament s only openly gay female MP, was on the verge of tears on Thursday afternoon as she spoke about why she supported plans to outlaw harmful conversion therapies. The laws have already passed the lower house but are currently being debated in the Legislative Council ahead of a final vote.
The Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices Prohibition Bill makes it illegal to attempt to change or suppress a person s sexual orientation or gender identity, carrying a penalty of 10 years jail or fines up to $10,000.
It also gives investigative powers to the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) and the ability to refer matters to police.
Parliament of Victoria, where the Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices Prohibition Bill passed late on Thursday evening.(Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Victorian Parliament s only openly gay MP, Harriet Shing, said the legislation is an important move to recognise the pain and the trauma and the hurt of victims and survivors ,