Gay conversion therapy is set to be outlawed in Victoria under new laws that are to be introduced to parliament next week.
The Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices Prohibition Bill 2020 will empower the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission to investigate reports of conversion practices that seek to change or suppress a person's sexual orientation or gender identity.
Under the proposed laws, those who subject others to change or suppression practices that cause injury or serious injury would face up to 10 years jail.
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Advertising the practices would also incur a criminal penalty and a maximum fine of almost $10,000.
Attorney-General Jill Hennessy said the proposed laws sent a clear message.
"No one is 'broken' because of their sexuality or gender identity. These views won't be tolerated in Victoria and neither will these abhorrent practices," Hennessy said.
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Victorian commissioner for LGBTIQ+ communities Ro Allen said the importance of the reforms for the state's LGBTIQ+ communities could not be overstated and 'will save lives'.
In a report released with the legislation, the government said survivors of conversion practices and the LGBT community supported an outright ban on conversion therapy.
The report also included statements from people who had been subjected to the controversial therapy.
Victoria's move follows Queensland, which was the first state or territory in Australia to outlaw the practice.
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Under the law passed in the Sunshine State, a healthcare professional who tries to convert a LGBTQIA+ person into straight person or suppress their sexuality could face up to 18 months behind bars.
The legislation specifically mentions aversion therapy, hypnotherapy and psychoanalysis as ways of conversion.
The decision from Queensland politicians has been praised by experts in the community.
Peter Black, president of the Queensland Council for LGBTI Health, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation: "The ban sends a clear message to Queenslanders that conversion therapy is harmful in all contexts.
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"It is important that there are penalties for this dangerous and discredited practice. There continues to be a need for education and further research on the harms of conversion therapies, as well as support for survivors of conversion therapies."
Malta, Brazil and Germany have all banned the use of the 'therapy' and Israel has made moves to do the same.
As of 2018, at least 10 organisations continue to offer and practice gay conversion therapy in Australia and New Zealand.