‘Gay cure’ under inquiry

VICTORIAN practitioners of so-called “gay conversion therapy” could face prosecution following a State Governmentordered inquiry.

Health Minister Jill Hennessy has formally asked the Health Complaints Commissioner to investigate the “highly damaging” and “abhorrent” practice that purports to “cure” homosexuality.

“I have received correspondence from a victim of the practices of so-called ‘gay conversion therapy’ and ‘ex-gay ideology’,” the minister wrote in a letter to the commissioner, released yesterday.

“Victims of the practice have displayed poor mental and physical health outcomes. Some have tragically lost their lives to suicide.” The Health Complaints Commissioner has powers to investigate and prosecute. “Victorians who have been harmed through these rogue groups should contact the commissioner immediately so these unlawful practices can be stopped and practitioners prosecuted,” Ms Hennessy said in a statement.

The inquiry was triggered just weeks after Victorian Liberals president Michael Kroger had to intervene to stop a motion on gay conversion therapy at the party’s state council meeting.

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