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Politics
Phoebe Loomes

Perrottet backs ban on 'harmful' gay conversion

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet says he will support laws that end harmful gay conversion practices. (Dean Lewins/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

Dominic Perrottet says he will support a ban on "harmful" gay conversion practices in NSW after the state election, regardless of who is in power.

The premier on Friday confirmed the coalition would back a ban on so-called conversion therapy during the next term of parliament.

"There is no room for any harmful practices in NSW, particularly if they affect our young and vulnerable," Mr Perrottet said.

"When the parliament returns, my government will provide in-principle support for legislation that brings an end to any harmful practices.

"This is a complex matter and in working through it with parliamentary colleagues we will carefully consider the legal expression and effect of such laws."

The premier's commitment comes after influential crossbencher Alex Greenwich said last week he would introduce a bill banning the practice during the next term of parliament following the March election.

Gay conversion therapy, which is already outlawed in several states, aims to suppress or change an LGBTQI person's sexuality based on the notion that they require treatment.

Support of the bill will be key to who Mr Greenwich works with in the event of a hung parliament.

Labor leader Chris Minns last week said his party was committed to ending the "dangerous and damaging" practice, adding it had no place in NSW.

"We should not have a situation where children are being told something is wrong with them and that they need to be fixed," he said.

The premier's commitment was welcomed by LGBTQI group Equality Australia, who reiterated that conversion practices cause real harm and are are not supported by medical evidence.

"Today's commitment by the premier is a welcome first step, Legal Director of Equality Australia Ghassan Kassisieh said.

"It brings NSW into line with other states that are actively exploring ways to end these damaging practices and means that LGBTQA+ people and the voters of NSW can be assured that whoever wins the election will act on this issue."

Survivor of conversion practices and co-founder of an advocacy and support group, Chris Csabs also welcomed the premier's announcement, and urged politicians in NSW to work closely with other survivors as they developed legislation.

"Whoever forms government must ensure that the legislation ends all practices that seek to change or suppress a person's sexuality or gender identity in any setting - including health and religious settings."

Mr Greenwich's bill is based on laws already in place in Victoria and will remove a series of barriers for LGBTQI communities while stopping practices which suppress sexual orientation or gender identities.

Labor said it would put together a working group with NSW Health and the Department of Justice to produce workable laws to outlaw the practices.

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