Outspoken Liberal MP Tim Smith has urged his party to support new laws before the Victorian parliament that will outlaw gay conversion therapy, describing the practice as "demented".
The party is expected to finalise its position on the legislation on Tuesday, at its first in-person party room meeting since the start of the pandemic.
Five backbenchers had reportedly demanded leader Michael O'Brien hold the meeting in person rather than via Zoom, so they could express their discontent about the party's direction.
Ahead of the meeting, former federal Liberal vice-president Karina Okotel emailed all 31 Liberal MPs, arguing against controversial treatments such as electroconvulsive therapy.
But she described the government's proposed ban on "prayer-based practice" as a threat to religious freedoms.
Mr Smith said Ms Okotel was trying to "browbeat" MPs to oppose the laws.
He said the party should not allow a conscience vote on the matter.
"This is pretty cut and dry. You are what you are. I read reports about people praying, or some such to stop people from being gay or some rubbish. I mean this is nonsense," Mr Smith told reporters outside parliament.
"You know I prayed 20 years ago that I'd be six foot four, well I'm five ten.
"This is actually quite insane. It's demented. You are what you are ... We are all made in the image of God. Can I make that point as a very, very bad Anglican."
