August 10, 2021
National wants exemption for barbaric therapy
National Party deputy leader Shane Reti is defending his party’s opposition to a Bill banning gay conversion therapy.
Introducing the Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Bill, Justice Minister Kris Faafoi said much of the detail about what the bill needed to cover would be worked out at the select committee.
Therapies intended to change a person's sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression have included electroconvulsive therapy, exorcism and fasting.
Mr Reti says while conversion therapy can include some abhorrent and barbaric practices, National wants a parental exemption.
"The issue we have is the concern that parental rights and responsibilities can be overridden and just yesterday Jacinda Ardern could not confirm parents would not be convicted under the legislation now before the House for exercising due and reasonable parental concerns. he says.
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