Australia’s new prime minister says gay ‘cure’ therapy isn’t his ‘issue’
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison (SAEED KHAN/AFP/Getty)
Australia’s new prime minister is “not planning to get engaged” in the issue of gay ‘conversion’ therapy.
PM Scott Morrison, who prompted fears of an LGBT+ rights reversal when he took over the premiership from Malcolm Turnbull in August, made the comments on Melbourne radio station 3AW.
The country’s new leader, who voted against same-sex marriage in last year’s postal vote, was asked for his views on the discredited practice.
New Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison (Getty)
Morrison, the country’s sixth prime minister in just over a decade, told the station: “I respect people of all sexualities, I respect people of all religions, all faiths. I love all Australians.
“People should make their own choices about their lives.
“I’ve never been involved in anything like that, I’ve never supported anything like that, it’s just not an issue for me and I’m not planning to get engaged in the issue.”
“I’m not planning to get engaged in the issue” (Martin Ollman/Getty)
More than 43,000 people have signed a petition which has been sent to Morrison, who represents the Liberal Party of Australia, and Labour leader Bill Shorten urging greater powers for watchdogs, stricter regulations on counsellors and a public health awareness campaign.
Labour has indicated that it will ban gay conversion therapy if it is elected into power, while the Australian Greens have long stood against the practice.
Greens senator Janet Rice is quoted by Australia’s SBS as saying: “Conversion therapies and sexual orientation change efforts are harmful and can have fatal consequences.”
The practice has prompted protests all over the world (NELSON ALMEIDA/AFP/Getty )
“They must be stamped out,” she added.
“The basic premise of conversion therapy and sexual orientation change efforts is that LGBTIQ people can and must be changed, rather than being perfect and accepted for who they are.”
The practice of gay ‘cure’ therapy has been dismissed by medical, psychological and therapeutic organisations across the world.
Experts overwhelmingly agree that trying to cure someone’s sexuality is futile, misguided, and often harmful.
