Not even a straight answer on adoption
The NSW Government has failed to provide even a definitive answer for same-sex couples who want to adopt, stating that legislation won’t change “at this stage”.
Community Services Minister Linda Burney yesterday announced that the NSW Government would not move yet to grant same-sex couples equal adoption rights, despite a parliamentary inquiry recommending such changes.
The Upper House committee’s 4-2 split on the matter, Burney said, was indicative of the wider community.
“Members were unable to reach a consensus, reflecting divisions on this issue in the wider community.
“As a result of these concerns, the Government is not satisfied there is broad enough community support to justify new state legislation at this stage.”
Burney added that the state Government’s concern would always be to find what is in the child’s best interest. How this current decision fits in with the Upper House committee’s recommendations that same-sex adoption would be in the best interest of children has yet to be explained.
“The committee was given examples of successful parenting and fostering by gay and lesbian couples and in these case studies, adoption provided permanence, stability and security which are so important for children. However, I am also aware that there are very deeply held, divergent views on this issue and that is why a decision on this matter will not be taken at this stage,” Burney said.
Talking to Sydney Star Observer after hearing the news, the Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby labelled the move pure politicking in the lead-up to an election, but vowed to keep campaigning and keep the issue on the Government’s agenda.
Rainbow Labor condemned the decision.
“The Labor Party is supposed to be the party of reform and social justice. Their unwillingness to implement the recommendations is baffling,” convenor Jessica Epps said.
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It is a slap in the face to gay men and lesbians who are in relationships who do what the very legal right to adopt a child – so they can love and nurture and child to their full potential and to show a very disrepectful society that gays are excellent parents!!!!
Can’t wait to see a full page colour ad in our community papers in the coming months urging us to vote for the Labor party in the state election again. Really you think we’ll fall for that trick again???
Paul:
Gay and lesbian votes are heavily concentrated in a few postcodes in an election expected to deliver the Liberals a massive majority.
A campaign based on the threat of a g & L voter backlash is therefore pointless. We can’t have a campaign that rests on the 2011 election result.
I believe there are many in the straight community who will support the thousands of children with 2 Mums worse off for this non decision.
We need many people to make a lot of noise – this is a more important and immediate issue than marriage.
Ben, various community groups have been campaigning for change in favour of same sex adoption, including the Inner City Legal Centre and GLRL. Such activities have included giving evidence at the parliamentary enquiry into same sex adoption. Problem is, we have to lobby the politicians as they are then ones who can change the laws. At the end of the day, the political animals make the decision if and when law reform happens, and the nature of the beast is that they will be heavily influenced by who will vote for them.
Why not vote Green then?
Forget arguing about how individuals will vote – get campaigning!
The way I see it is that Labor is the lesser of the two evils, I cant see the Liberals ever allowing gay adoption but at least with Labor I can see it in the horizon. Sure they wont allow same-sex adoption just yet but at least they have removed most other discrimination what is more than what the Liberals have done.
This is an example of politics at work. NSW Labor knows its chances of being re-elected are fucked, since it’s a crap government run by right wing assholes, so why do the fags and dykes any favours when it means losing the possible conservative votes? There is nothing in it for Labor by doing our community any favours. It’s not about doing the right thing, even when recommended by a parliamentary committee, it’s about self interest. And the excuse that there was not enough public support is bullshit, and an insult to our intelligence. I didn’t see any public surveys being done after the parliamentary enquiry. My vote will be going elsewhere I’m afraid.
Clearly, Labor have let down those who voted for them.I have been a father figure to a boy I met after his father was murdered when he was 10,particularly over the past 5 years. He is now 22. He and his partner recently asked me if I would be their son’s Grandfather…which I happily agreed to. The only way to get change is to vote Liberal/Country Party next year…even if they stuff it up at least it will break the cycle of this woeful government.
It amuses me how so many in the gay community are horrified with the thought of one of our own voting other than labor. Did I feel more marginalized under a liberal government? No. Nor do I feel less marginalized under a labor government at both federal and state levels. Let’s face it, only strong broad based community support for any reform will force governments (of either political persuasion) to act.
Jason, make that: “Possibily the only way to gain adoption rights is for Labor to win the next state election, under the thumb of a Greens Primary vote”. (ie vote 1 Greens and 2 Labor, for Labor to form govt under the control of the 100% pro-gay Greens)
Labor clearly prefers children to be molested in Christian and State institutions. We just had a national Sorry Day in Canberra that showed how Christian institutions such as many Catholic orphanages ruined the lives of orphans.
THE LABOR party is run by right wing catholics and the Libs by wingnut christians. Stop voting for both of them. Just like in Washington, the catholic services threatened to withdraw their adoption services, blackmail, blackmail, blackmail.
Possibily the only way to gain adoption rights is for Labor to win the next state election and then there is likely to be a change of roles for ministers, hopefully then the NSW labors new cabinet might have a different opinion on same-sex adoption.