With debate on a same-sex adoption bill due to begin in the NSW Parliament this afternoon, the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) has called on NSW MPs to act in the best interests of children and vote against the legislation.
ACL NSW Director David Hutt said that efforts are being made to portray the legislation as being entirely about ‘known adoptions’ when in actual fact the bill clearly allows for ‘stranger adoptions’ where the same-sex couple has no prior relationship with the child.
“Given the large numbers of heterosexual parents waiting years to adopt a child, there is no justification for changing the law to place adopted children in the homes of same-sex couples they don’t even know,” Mr Hutt said.
“We urge Lower House politicians to make a true conscience vote on the bill – not based on party loyalties – and to carefully consider whether denying a child in ‘stranger’ adoption the benefit of having both a mother and a father is really putting that child’s best interests first.
“The debate about same-sex adoption is not a gay rights issue. This is about children’s rights – specifically the right of an adopted child to be placed in a home with both a mother and a father,” Mr Hutt said.
“Section 8 of the Adoption Act 2000 clearly states that no adult has the right to adopt a child. Parliamentarians need to get beyond attempts by the gay lobby to frame this as a rights issue and start focussing on what this will mean for children in the future.
“Sadly, adopted children can often face emotional struggles. If passed, this bill will allow children to be adopted out to two mums or two dads and make them miss out on the love and role modelling that both a mum and a dad can provide.”
Mr Hutt said that in the case of same-sex couples wanting to adopt children already living with them, most of their concerns about providing parental care can be effectively dealt with through a parenting order made by the Family Court. Parenting orders are a mechanism that recognises the relationship between a child and an adult and give the adult parental responsibility for the child.
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I’m not sure if I’m the only one, but is anyone else fed up with politicians shaping their values from popular opinion and then saying thios is what Jesus would do.
I heard the NSW state premier say today that she supported the decision for same sex couple to addopt as it is in line with her faith (Christianity), stating that Jesus is about acceptance.
I think that she needs to be reminded that whilst Jesus forgave and accepted people he never condoned nor accepted the act. Whilst he didn’t throw stones, he said go and sin no more.
The bible clearly states Gods position on homosexuality and allowing same sex couples to adopt not only shows condonement for the act, but places the most vulnerable members of our society in a position (not of their choosing) where that are lead to believe that the lifestyle is acceptable.
Certainly a child is being discriminated against when adoption is allowed by same sex parents whilst a Father and Mother are awaiting adoptive children. How can it be justified to deny a child it’s rights to satisfy the desires of adults? Where will this “satisfying adult desires” end? Can a child no longer be defended or protected in this country? Who defends those without a voice? Certainly I will do my best, albeit insignificant. Our children are our future and they should be given every opportunity in the most balanced and appropriate manner possible. Certainly there are enough problems assisting people who have been abused in childhood, to heal. Some never achieve this healing. Can we as supposed responsible adults not give our future – our children – every opportunity that is their birthright? Please look at the male and female couples long awaiting to become parents before making decisions that can not be repaired down the track. If legislation is passed to give gay couples the right to adopt – how will this be fixed in years to come, when it is realised that a mistake was made? And made at the expense of the innocent and those yet without a voice!!!!