Attached here is Family First’s submission regarding the Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Bill.
Put simply, a submission is the process by which individuals and organisations can present their opinions, observations , and recommendations on a matter before a select committee. In this case, the matter before a select committee is the Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Bill.
It is vital that families, faith and community leaders understand what is in the bill, and what the effect will be – irrespective of how the proposed law is ‘sold’ by the politicians and the media.
We encourage you make your own submission here, but first read our step-by-step guide.
Family First’s submission
Family First’s submission on the ‘conversion therapy’ bill can be read here
Although a lengthy submission, the main part is the first 16 pages only.
There are three additional items in the Appendix including two significant legal opinions / analyses, plus polling on what New Zealanders really think about the effects of this proposed law.
Family First’s submission covers key issues, including:
- criminalising of parents, counsellors, carers & teachers
- criminalising family discussions, prayer and faith-based teachings in places of worship & schools
- criminalising consent & personal autonomy
- what the Government’s own legal advisers have told them, including the admission ‘we have no data on current practices or how widespread they are’
- a form of ‘conversion therapy’ is actually happening in schools – it’s called gender ideology. Will this be banned? Parents don’t agree with it being there
- parents and experts also reject puberty blockers as a solution to gender dysphoria
- here are many people who have experienced gender dysphoria and unwanted sexual feelings who have found lasting change and healing through counselling. Do they count?
Our full submission can be found here.
Also, here is our step-by-step guide on making a submission: https://freetolive.nz/submission/