Passionate support for adoption bill

The NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby (GLRL) is very pleased that the majority of the members of the Legislative Assembly voted in favour of Sydney MP Clover Moore’s Adoption Amendment (Same-Sex Couples) Bill.

The bill was introduced to Parliament on June 24. Last Thursday, it was debated in the Legislative Assembly and agreed to ‘in principle’ in a vote of 46–44 and finally passed by a vote of 45–43 following an additional amendment making the Adoption Act exempt from the Anti-Discrimination Act.

It was great to listen to so many MPs speak passionately in support of the bill.

“The bill is about protecting real children in real families and recognising their relationship with both their parents regardless of sexuality,” Moore said.

“Parliament should acknowledge that same-sex couples are providing loving, nurturing and stable homes for children and take this opportunity to give those families the same legal protection that other families have under the law.”

Community services minister Linda Burney gave a heartfelt speech, saying, “This bill is our opportunity to repair this injustice and give these children the legal and emotional certainty they deserve. I make it very clear that I wholeheartedly support this bill as a member of Parliament, as a minister and, first and foremost, as an individual. I support this bill because it is a social justice issue, it is a matter of common sense and it removes discrimination”.

One of the surprise MPs supporting the bill was Barry O’Farrell, leader of the Opposition.

“I propose to support this legislation … I do so out of a concern for the best interests of those children who are being adopted,” he said.

“I do so to eradicate uncertainties under current arrangements involving children in same-sex families … I do so because I do not believe we should prevent adoption by same-sex couples who may offer a love and stability that is absent from too many homes at present.”

The GLRL commends all members of the Legislative Assembly who voted in favour of the bill and urges members of the Legislative Council to vote in favour of this historic legislation when it is introduced into the Upper House this week.