Representatives from Anglican churches across Sydney and the Illawarra have urged the NSW Government to amend guidance issued under the State's conversion practices legislation, saying it breaches election promises.

The Conversion Practices Ban Act 2024 prohibits practices intended to change or suppress a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. 

Bishop Michael Stead, who led negotiations with the Government two years ago, warned that advice published by the Attorney-General’s Department effectively erased protections for voluntary prayer and pastoral care.

“In the lead-up to the 2023 NSW election, the now-Premier Chris Minns made clear and repeated commitments to faith communities,” Bishop Stead said. “At a faith leaders forum in Parramatta he stated, and I quote, ‘an individual of their own consent seeking guidance through prayer will not be banned’. An ALP candidate who later won a marginal seat said, and I quote, ‘If someone comes voluntarily seeking advice, it's imperative that their right to do that is not outlawed’.”

It has now emerged that advice online from the Attorney-General’s Department conflicts with these promises. “As it's been reinterpreted by the Attorney-General and Anti-Discrimination NSW, all of the exemptions in the Act turn out to be worthless. They're pseudo-exemptions.”

Mike Southon, the executive director of Freedom for Faith, told Synod that candidate forums held prior to the last State election – mostly in Anglican churches – were key in gaining such promises and ensuring Christians had a voice in public policy.

“Elections are the time that politicians are most conscious of their need to listen to the whole community, and candidate forums are how we have that voice,” Mr Southon said. “In 2023, churches held forums in 30 State electorates. All of them were non-partisan, respectful and godly, and taken as a whole, they were hugely effective.”

Mr Southon added that renewed advocacy efforts from churches might be needed to ensure the original commitments are upheld.

Whatever you do … don't go away cowed into silence, You must speak and preach and pray what the Bible says.

During the Synod floor debate, some members expressed concern that political lobbying could be interpreted as asking the Government for permission to pray.

Addressing those concerns directly, Bishop Stead urged clergy and lay members to remain steadfast while continuing to engage in the political process.

“Whatever you do out of tonight, I hope you don't go away cowed into silence,” he said. “You must not do that. You must speak and preach and pray what the Bible says.

“The Government cannot stop you from praying. They can, however, fine you and ultimately you could end up in prison. Given those two alternatives, I think I'd prefer to try and change the outcome so that it is not hanging over the heads of Christians as they think about whether they will pray.

“I note that Nehemiah prayed and then he sought to change the mind of the king – and God answered his prayers. I suggest that we should do both.”