SSO election survey

SSO election survey

All candidates were asked the following questions:

1. Do you support gay and lesbian equality?

2. Do you support same-sex couples raising children?

3. Would you support legislation that grants parental rights to both same-sex parents in IVF births?

4. Would you support legislation that allows same-sex couples to adopt jointly?

5. Do you support the recognition of same-sex relationships?

6. Would you support legislation that allowed same-sex couples to enter a civil union?

7. Would you support legislation that removed exemptions to anti-discrimination laws for religious, small business and aged-care organisations providing services with public funds?

Verity Firth, Labor, Balmain

1. Yes, I support full equality, both socially and legally, for all LGBT members of our community.

2. I support same-sex couples raising children. The same-sex families I know are loving, caring and wonderful parents, just like any others. Children deserve to be in a home where they are loved and cared for -“ the gender of the parents is irrelevant.

3. Yes, I support full parental rights for same-sex parents of IVF births.

4. Yes, same-sex couples should have the same rights as any other couple to joint-adoption.

5. Absolutely. Australia needs to federally legislate recognition of same-sex relationships.

6. Yes, I support civil unions.

7. Yes, everyone deserves equality before the law regardless of sexual preference. Discrimination on the basis of sexuality is wrong, just as discrimination on the basis of race or gender is wrong. I would like to see us move to full equality in all laws.

Rochelle Porteous, Greens, Balmain

1. Yes.

2. Yes.

3. Yes.

4. Yes.

5. Yes.

6. Yes.

7. Yes.

Edward Okulicz, Democrats, Balmain

1. Yes. I believe that this country and, indeed, NSW has come a long way in gay rights, but there are many legitimate grievances still felt.

2. Yes. Two parents of opposite sex are required to produce a child but, even in the past, children have been raised with the help of family and friends, often in the absence of one or more biological parents. I don’t see why a same-sex couple would be any different. I believe that any stable relationship of two people, whatever gender, will provide the range of nurturing and love a child needs.

3. Absolutely. For these parents, it’s not a decision made lightly due to the need to involve a third party and a significant outlay of money. Both same-sex parents will develop a significant emotional attachment to the child regardless of biology.

4. I don’t know enough about what’s happened in other countries where this has been allowed to give a definite answer, but I’m supportive in theory.

5. Not only do I support it, I think it’s the responsibility of everyone who claims they’re for a fair go to demand it. I proudly sported a placard which bore the words LEGALISE SAME SEX UNIONS in the Democrats float at the Mardi Gras. Love doesn’t discriminate. It’s ridiculous that the law does.

6. Definitely. I think the Australian population is conservative but not mean-spirited, and would support this if it was explained properly rather than being put behind a religious smoke-screen. The experience in places like Spain and Canada has shown it can work, and it’s made a lot of people happier and more secure.

7. Public money is coming from taxpayers, who may not share the views of some organisations. Within their own business, which they conduct with their own money, I am fine with them doing and hiring as they please -“ a church would want someone of the same faith giving their sermons, for instance. But where discrimination is not on the basis of ability to properly do the work (especially as it regards to personal, private morality) as it would be in the vast majority of situations, it should not be permitted.

Jane Ward, Independent, Balmain

1. Yes.

2. Yes.

3. Yes.

4. Yes.

5. Yes.

6. Yes.

7. Yes.

I am a resolutely committed supporter of equal legal rights for gays and lesbians. I stood at short notice as an Independent for the seat of Sydney in the 2004 federal election because I was incensed and dismayed by the Labor and Liberal collusion in inserting a definition of marriage as a union between a man and a woman into the Marriage Act. Once in there, this definition will be very hard to remove. I understand that the sitting member for the Legislative Assembly, Tania Plibersek, abstained from the vote despite her public espousal of gay and lesbian rights. These rights must be legislatively validated as a human rights issue and as a separation of church and state issue.

Fiona Byrne, Greens, Marrickville

1. Yes. Absolutely.

2. Yes. Sexual orientation does not determine if you are a good parent.

3. Yes.

4. Yes.

5. Yes.

6. Yes.

7. Yes. If elected I would introduce Lee Rhiannon’s bill to end these exemptions into the NSW Lower House.

Carmel Tebbutt, Labor, Marrickville

1. Yes, I am committed to working towards full equality for same-sex couples. The Labor government has legislated to ensure that same-sex couples have equal partnership rights in over 40 NSW acts. These reforms removed discrimination in the areas of property rights, wills, death and inheritance, privacy, illness, incapacity and next of kin, violence, compensation, unfair dismissal and anti-discrimination.

2. Yes, the most important thing is that children are brought up in a loving and caring environment.

3. Yes. I support extending parental rights to the non-biological parent when a child is born into the relationship.

4. The government has commenced a review of NSW adoption laws and I will await the outcome of this review.

5. Labor has recognised same-sex relationships in over 40 pieces of legislation. I support those reforms.

6. Yes, I support civil unions. The issue was discussed by a number of state and territory attorneys-general last year. Plans to have the matter fully considered by the Standing Committee of Attorneys General were frustrated by the commonwealth’s hostility towards civil unions.

7. A re-elected Iemma government would maintain its commitment to current anti-discrimination provisions covering religious schools.

Chris Harris, Greens, Sydney

1. Yes. Human rights are about being human and sexual orientation is irrelevant. Further, Greens policy explicitly supports equal rights for all regardless of their sexual orientation.

2. Yes. Two loving parents is the key to a happy childhood.

3. Yes. It is also important to recognize and retain the role of both biological parents in such arrangements.

4. Yes. The key factors are: loving parents and ability to do what is necessary to support and raise a child. Sexual orientation is not a barrier to either of these considerations

5. Yes. The Greens are on the record as supporting equality for same sex couples in all aspects of the law, from superannuation, to inheritance of property and a recognized role in medical decision making.

6. Yes. Once again sexual orientation is irrelevant to recognising that two people want to publicly make a committment to each other.

7. Yes. As a Green I would insist that all should have equal access to services and organisations that are supported by public funds.

Edward Mandla, Liberal, Sydney

1. Yes. If elected as the new member for Sydney, I will work hard to remove any form of discrimination that occurs against gay and lesbian people including other members of the community. I know many of my state and federal colleagues are of the same view and I will work hard to achieve this outcome.

2. I have observed and been involved with gay and lesbian couples as uncles, aunts and raising children from previous heterosexual relationships. In all cases, same-sex couples have shown how much love there is to give to a child.

3. For me, IVF is an incredible last resort gift in a heterosexual relationship when all other attempts have failed, whether it is the issue of lack of sperm production in men or infertility for a woman. Obviously, this isn’t necessarily the same issue in a same-sex situation. This question is really about surrogacy and we haven’t sorted this issue in society as a whole. I think there are a number of other same-sex issues that need to be sorted out before we debate this one.

4. I would like to see a debate as to who makes decisions on what is the right parent. While there are heterosexual relationships where children are abused in many forms, do we really have a right to say that a same-sex couple would make inferior parents?

5. This is very important and I have two reasons. The first is: it is a platform to remove discrimination. The second is: my observation is that there are many single older gays and lesbians. When I look under the covers, fidelity issues often broke good relationships. I suspect marriage might make a difference -“ certainly many gays and lesbians who I put this idea to agree.

6. I believe marriage is for heterosexual couples and I see civil unions for same-sex couples. However, it is important that both marriage and civil union legislation should be equivalent in the eyes of the law, each respecting people’s rights in recognising their love for their partner. When I have spoken to my gay and lesbian friends, including different members of the community, many people come to the same agreement.

7. We all need to work hard to remove all forms and levels of discrimination and I’m not the sort of person who likes imposing exemptions or over-regulation and I see them as cop-outs. The same-sex/ gay liberation/ anti-discrimination movement has been on a long journey to date, and it still needs all of us to continue to be patient, lead by example, show how it should be done and allow champions to keep beavering away.

Clover Moore, Independent, Sydney

1. Yes. I support gay and lesbian rights to equal treatment under the law, with equal benefits and responsibilities.

2. Yes. The government should support diverse family arrangements, providing everyone with the same access to legal, financial and social support irrespective of gender or sexuality. I support gay and lesbian couples raising children and moved amendments to the Adoption Bill 2000 to permit same-sex couples to adopt. I have repeatedly asked the NSW government to remedy this injustice.

3. Yes.

4. Yes.

5. Yes. All citizens should enjoy the rights, entitlements, and responsibilities of legally recognised relationships. In 1997 I introduced the Significant Personal Relationships Bill to seek full legal recognition for gay, lesbian and other close relationships. Although not adopted, the bill provided a model for other Australian states. The City of Sydney has a landmark Relationships Declaration Program, which allows same-sex couples to make a formal declaration about their relationship which, if they choose, may include acknowledging how long they have been together and that they have a commitment to a shared life together. The City of Melbourne, along with other cities, is introducing a Relationships Declaration Program based on the Sydney model.

6. Yes. Last year I asked the NSW attorney-general to investigate NSW legislation that would provide civil unions to allow any couple, regardless of gender, to establish a domestic partnership by making a formal declaration before an authorised celebrant/ registrar. The government has declined to take action on civil unions. My 1997 Significant Personal Relationships Bill included provisions for relationships to be formally recognised, which would have been effectively the same as civil unions.

7. Yes. I support removing discrimination against gay men and lesbians from law, and have repeatedly requested the NSW attorney-general to amend the Anti-Discrimination Act. In 1993 I introduced a successful landmark legislation to prohibit homosexual vilification and I consistently push for action on gay and lesbian discrimination in NSW legislation.

Linda Scott, Labor, Sydney

1. Yes. Labor has a strong record of supporting gay and lesbian equality. There are still areas where reform needs to be considered and, as I have said many times, I am committed to working hard with the community to identify and act upon these where possible.

2. Yes. As a psychologist, I understand that parenting is about providing a loving, nurturing, safe environment for children; it’s not about sexuality. As many of your readers would know, Labor has elected representatives in the parliament in same-sex relationships who are also raising children, and I am proud of this representation.

3. Where a child is born into a relationship, I support accordingly increased rights to the non-biological parent. I am keen to listen to community concerns on this issue, and I know there is more work to be done to ensure that discrimination is removed from the legislation in a manner that is fair for all parents.

4. I think we need to wait for the report of the review into the Adoption Act before making a final decision, which is due in a few months’ time. I do support the idea in principle, and I acknowledge the long campaign waged by the gay and lesbian community to have the laws changed.

5. Yes. Absolutely. Labor has recognised same-sex relationships in over 40 pieces of legislation. I support these reforms.

6. I would argue strongly in the Labor caucus for such recognition, and supported the moves by South Sydney Council to put such a register in place.

7. Labor created the Anti-Discrimination Act in the 1970s. In principle, I support a tightening of the existing exemptions.

Alison Rahill, Labor, Vaucluse

1. Yes. Labor has a strong record of supporting gay and lesbian equality. There are still areas where reform needs to be considered and I want to work with the community to identify and act upon these where possible.

2. Yes. It is a fact of life that a growing number of same-sex couples are raising kids. Parenting is about providing a loving, nurturing, safe environment for children; it’s not about sexuality.

3. To both same-sex parents in IVF births? Where a child is born into a relationship, I support accordingly increased rights to the non-biological parent. As it is a complex area of the law, I am keen to take advice on the matter.

4. I think we need to wait for the report of the review into the Adoption Act, which is due in a few months’ time. I nonetheless acknowledge the long campaign waged by the gay and lesbian community to have the laws changed.

5. Yes. Labor has recognised same-sex relationships in over 40 pieces of legislation. I support these reforms.

6. I would argue in the Labor caucus for such recognition, but if it is same-sex marriage you are talking about, I am wary of the federal marriage laws and John Howard trying to defeat any such action NSW takes along these lines.

7. Labor created the Anti-Discrimination Act in the 1970s. In principle, I support a tightening of the existing exemptions.

David Shoebridge, Greens, Vaucluse

1. Yes. I am committed to Greens policy which explicitly supports equal rights for everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation or sexual identity.

2. Yes. Two loving parents are a wonderful privilege for any child, whether it is two mums, two dads or a mum and a dad.

3. Yes. I support this for the same reasons I support the proposition in question 2. It is also important to recognise and retain the role of both biological parents in such arrangements.

4. Yes. The test should be, are a couple loving and capable parents, not what is the gender or sexuality of the adoptive parents.

5. Yes. The Greens are on the record as supporting equality for same-sex couples in all aspects of the law, from superannuation, to inheritance of property and a recognised role in medical decision-making.

6. Yes. The state should be supportive of all committed couples who want their relationship to be formally recognised.

7. Yes. As a Green I hold it as a basic premise that we all have equal and non-discriminatory access to the services and institutions that are supported by public funds.

Lee Rhiannon, Greens, Legislative Council

1. Yes.

2. Yes. Parenting rights have nothing to do with sexual preference.

3. Yes.

4. Yes. If Labor does not move the necessary legislation in the next parliament, the Greens will.

5. Yes.

6. Yes.

7. Yes. Greens MPs will reintroduce the clean-up of the anti-discrimination bill into the first sitting of the NSW Upper House.

Helen Westwood, Labor, Legislative Council

1. Yes, as a lesbian I believe it is the right of all members of the gay and lesbian community to have equality and I will be strongly advocating this at every opportunity.

2. Yes, not only do I support it, I have done it. The fact is, same-sex couples are raising children. The important issue is, do they have the services they need as parents and it is in the area of appropriate and affordable service delivery that I will be strongly advocating for these parents.

3. Yes, I acknowledge that this is a complex area of law but I would support legislation that benefits same-sex couples and their children.

4. I believe any legislation around adoption has to be in the interest of the children, whether the legislation is about heterosexual couples, same-sex couples or single people adopting. Therefore I would like to see what is proposed before I state my position on any proposed legislation.

5. Yes, I would be guided by what the gay and lesbian community wants in terms of what form that recognition would take.

6. Yes, I support civil unions.

7. I have always supported anti-discrimination legislation and have actively worked in my local community to support projects that lead to acceptance and diversity. I would look closely at any legislation that reduces the risk of anyone being discriminated against on the basis of gender, sexuality, religion or race.

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