In a joint letter with Australian Association of Christian Schools to the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner (VEOHRC), CSA has sought clarification for schools on the recently passed Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices Prohibition Act 2021.
While the Act is not expected to commence until early 2022 given the vagueness of many aspects of the Act and conflicting statements made in relation to its effect we have put a range of detailed scenarios to the VEOHRC as the agency with primary responsibility for enforcement.
Members can download a copy of the letter below.
View the Joint Letter
UPDATE: 6 September 2021
Following a meeting in late March, a number of follow up requests to the Commission, and publication of Guidance Materials as outlined in our Briefing, we finally received a response to our joint letter of 5 March. You can download a copy below.
It is encouraging that the Commission acknowledges 'the very important issues raised' in our correspondence and that they 'appreciate that there is a degree of community uncertainty regarding the operation of the Act'. It would be far more helpful, of course, if they actually sought to engage with the issues we posed and provide some guidance.
Considering that the Commission indicates on its website that its guidance materials 'will be informed by extensive consultation with the key stakeholders identified' it is particularly disappointing to read that they only intend to meet with us 'when those offerings become available', i.e. after development.
Despite this completely dissatisfying response, after six months, we will continue to seek to engage with the Commission and seek to have these concerns addressed.
Download VEOHRC Response