Tasmania's deputy premier and attorney-general has called a push from the Greens to ban conversion practices "fundamentally flawed".
In a letter to anti-trans and feminist group Women Speak Tasmania, Mr Barnett has written that a bill tabled by the Greens risks criminalising "certain conversations between a parent and their child and conversions within families" while also being too ambiguous.
"What exactly is the problem the Greens are seeking to fix?" Mr Barnett wrote in the letter, obtained by the ABC.
The Tasmanian Law Reform Institute found in 2022 that "severe harm" had been caused by conversion practices, which refer to attempts to suppress or convert a person's gender or sexual identity.
It found the practices were still happening in Tasmania, and recommended the state follow the lead of most other Australian states by outlawing them.
While the state government committed to banning the practices, a 2023 bill introduced by the government was criticised for having "too many loopholes", and there has been no follow up.
The Greens released their own draft bill in June this year, saying it would make a "profound difference".
Greens' bill 'extreme': Barnett
In his letter to Women Speak Tasmania, Mr Barnett called the draft bill "amongst the most extreme of its type in Australia".
"The draft Bill risks criminalising certain conversations between a parent and their child and conversations within families," he wrote.
The Greens' draft bill defines conversion practices as conduct for the purpose of "changing, suppressing or eradicating the sexual orientation or gender identity of the person".
It also includes carve-outs for religious expression including prayer, and for parents discussing matters relating to the sexual or gender orientation of their children.
Mr Barnett said this was "broad and ambiguous".
"Further, Tasmanians should not be subject to unfair investigations or lengthy quasi-judicial processes based on misleading or false complaints," he said.
Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff said the deputy premier's comments suggested he "doesn't accept the evidence that conversion practices are happening".
Practices 'deeply harm' vulnerable people
Equality Tasmania's Rodney Croome hit back at Mr Barnett's questioning what the problem was with conversion practices.
"This bill is about prohibiting treatments that don't work for a condition that doesn't exist undertaken by people who aren't qualified on victims who will be deeply harmed," Mr Croome said.
"The problem the bill is trying to solve is that conversion practices purport to 'heal' vulnerable LGBTIQA+ people but actually deeply harm and sometimes kill them."
He said nobody had been convicted in other Australian states for "a conversation or a prayer, as Mr Barnett claims would happen in Tasmania".
Dr Woodruff said she was making changes to the draft bill based on feedback her party had received.
"As part of that process we met with many stakeholders, including the deputy premier in person, and have taken on board some of their concerns," she said.
Women Speak Tasmania President Elizabeth Caballero urged the government to establish a parliamentary inquiry into the issue before debating a bill.
Government supports ban, but position on bill unknown
The government is yet to declare how it will vote on the Greens' bill.
However, Mr Barnett's letter potentially puts him at odds with Premier Jeremy Rockliff, who has repeatedly said he supports banning conversion practices.
The premier's office has been contacted for comment about Mr Barnett's letter.
Upon the release of the Greens' draft bill, Mr Rockliff said he was "interested" in seeing it.
Pressed on whether he would allow a conscience vote on the legislation when it came to parliament, Mr Rockliff indicated he would consider it.
Labor and several other crossbenchers have indicated support for the Greens' bill, meaning government support may not be needed for it to pass.
Attempts to ban conversion practices nationwide and in Tasmania have also been opposed by the Australian Christian Lobby.
