Some prayer is now unlawful in Australia, Attorney General admits

Some prayers are now “unlawful” in New South Wales, Australia, the Attorney General has admitted.

Michael Daley confirmed that some prayers are illegal, in response to a question from politician Susan Carter, who raised concerns over the Conversion Practices Ban Act. Daley implied that this could even include silent prayer, when Carter raised it as an example.

The Conversion Practices Ban Act 2024 took effect on 4 April. Anyone accused of “changing or suppressing” another’s gender identity or sexual orientation could be fined up to $100,000 as part of the civil complaints scheme. If the person was deemed to cause “substantial” mental or physical harm, they could be sentenced up to five years in prison.

Unlawful prayer

A video publicising the law, released by Anti-Discrimination NSW, states that ‘conversion practices’ could resemble “prayer or pastoral conversation that is intended to change or suppress someone’s gender or sexuality”.

Carter quoted guidance from Anti-Discrimination NSW, and accused the NSW Government of putting limits on people’s prayers, stating it “sounds like a prohibition on prayer does it not? Prayer is lawful, unless it is about a matter which has been declared unlawful.”

Daley talked around the issue, but said: “If it’s an unlawful prayer, then it’s not a lawful prayer.”

Have you ever been asked to pray for someone who is questioning their sexual desires or biological sex, but is seeking to be obedient to God’s word? According to the Attorney General, Michael Daley, the NSW Conversion Practices Ban Act makes some prayers with, or over, someone… pic.twitter.com/fCnubA7Ata

— Australian Christian Lobby (@ACLobby) September 3, 2025

Assault on religious liberty

Lyle Shelton, National Director of the political party Family First Australia stated: “No government should have the power to ban prayer.”

He said: “Prayer has always been about change – change in circumstances, change in hearts, change in lives. To criminalise a prayer that someone requests is a staggering overreach of state power into the private and spiritual lives of citizens.”

He added: “That is a direct assault on religious liberty in NSW. It is chilling to think that a mum or dad, pastor, or friend could face sanction for praying with someone who explicitly asked for prayer to help them follow God’s word.”

Bold and uncompromising

The Australian Christian Lobby thanked Carter for “advocating for clarity” on the law.

The group wrote on X: “As we live with this new legislation, let us reflect on the prayer for boldness in Acts 4:23-31, specifically verse 29 – ‘Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.’”

“Pray our churches and Christian leaders remain bold and uncompromising in their commitment to God’s Word in their ministry.”

England and Wales

In the UK, the Westminster Government has promised to publish its draft conversion practices Bill for England and Wales “very soon”, amid demands from LGBT activists following the Supreme Court’s ruling that ‘sex’ in the Equality Act refers to biological sex.

Labour’s 2024 manifesto pledged to introduce “a full trans-inclusive ban on conversion practices, while protecting the freedom for people to explore their sexual orientation and gender identity”.

Simon Calvert, Deputy Director of The Christian Institute and spokesman for the Institute’s Let Us Pray campaign, which opposes new legislation, said in March: “a ban is not necessary, because everyone is already legally protected from abuse, and not possible, because banning harmless speech about sex and sexuality is tyrannical.”