New South Wales is lagging behind states like Victoria, Queensland and the ACT in banning gay conversion therapy. These practices, which still persist under the notion that LGBTQI+ people need treatment, have proven to have harmful long-term effects on individuals and communities. With a state election approaching, and the context of Sydney WorldPride, the issue is prominent in the political discourse. On February 11th, NSW Labor leader, Chris Minns, pledged to put a ban on “dangerous and damaging” conversion therapy in the state. NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet was more hesitant to commit, but has recently said his government would “in-principle” support a ban.

James Murray speaks with Ghassan Kassisieh, Legal Director of national organisation Equality Australia to discuss more on the case of conversion therapy in Australia.

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