Why the Adoption act should not be changed
“A private members bill introduced by the Hon Clover Moore to allow same-sex couples to adopt children will go before the Lower House of the NSW Parliament this week.
The NSW Premier, Kristina Keneally has allowed a conscience vote by Government MPs and the Opposition Leader, Barry O’Farrell has allowed the same for Opposition MPs.
The bill has been amended to exempt faith-based organisations from having to facilitate adoptions for same-sex couples.
Although Anglicare Sydney welcomes this exemption, it still opposes the bill in principle and urges all MPs to vote against the bill because it diminishes children’s rights.
The Adoption Act makes it clear no adult presently has the right to adopt a child. The Act is based on what is in the best interest of the child. Introducing a right to adopt is contrary to the whole adoption regime.
And allowing same-sex couples to adopt children is not a test of civil rights – upholding the rights of children to have a father and mother when they have no say in the matter is.
Anglicare’s 12 reasons for opposing the Bill were sent to all State MPs. You can view them here.
With this issue now upon us, I strongly urge you to write to or email your local MP and request them to vote against Ms Moore’s Bill, with reference to ANGLICARE’s reasons.
Children’s rights are precious – they should never be a political football for others.”
– Peter Kell, CEO of Anglicare Sydney writes at SydneyAnglicans.net.
ABC PM on the gay adoption issue
“Around 200 people squeezed into a small theatre in the New South Wales Parliament today to protest against a bill to allow same-sex couples to adopt. The New South Wales Council of Churches organised the protest meeting…”
– ABC Radio’s PM reported on Clover Moore’s proposed bill on adoption tonight.
‘Churches get opt-out point on same-sex adoption bill’
“The independent state MP Clover Moore has moved to shore up support for her same-sex adoption bill by giving church adoption agencies the right to refuse services to gay and lesbian couples without breaching anti-discrimination laws…
However, news of the amendment has not changed the view of church leaders. A letter co-authored by the Catholic Archbishop of Sydney, George Pell and the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney, Peter Jensen, arrived on MPs’ desks yesterday urging them to vote down the bill.”
– Full story from The Sydney Morning Herald. (Photo: clovermoore.com)
Related: Urgent Public Meeting of Concern — Same Sex Couples Adoption.
Urgent Public Meeting of Concern — Same Sex Couples Adoption
From the NSW Council of Churches:
This week in the NSW Parliament a private members bill is being rushed through to open the way for same sex couples to adopt children. The NSW Council of Churches is sponsoring a Public Meeting of concerned citizens opposed to this bill.
• Theatrette NSW Parliament House
• 1pm–2pm Tuesday 31st August 2010
• Speakers include Hon David Clarke (Liberal Party), Rev Hon Fred Nile (CDP) other speakers to be confirmed.
• Please join us to make a statement of concern for the sake of the children!
And from a NSW Council of Churches Media Release:
27 August 2010
Huge change to NSW adoption law while all eyes are on Canberra
The President of the NSW Council of Churches has accused the NSW Government of seeking to fast track the introduction of a Private Member’s Bill by independent MLA Clover Moore which would allow same sex couples to adopt children in NSW.
“The Keneally Government has been sitting on the Same Sex Adoption report for a year, and it is a betrayal of proper parliamentary process to rush through a Private Member’s Bill on the first day of sitting while all eyes are on the negotiations in Canberra to form a federal government,” the Revd Richard Quadrio said.
The NSW Council of Churches is sponsoring a public meeting on same sex couples adoption to be held at the Theatrette, NSW Parliament House, from 1.00-2.00pm on Tuesday 31 August, the day on which the bill is scheduled for debate in both Houses.
“Clover Moore’s Same Sex Adoption Bill has not been debated in any way yet in the wider community. I call on Honorable Members of both Houses to proceed more slowly and to engage in greater community consultation before taking a conscience vote. Please join us to make a statement of concern for the sake of the children, both now and in the future,” Revd Quadrio said.
Click the image at top to download a PDF flyer.
The Castle on King
Need to lighten up after the election? Enjoy this video from the recent Moore College Review. It’s a parody of the Australian film The Castle.
2010 Moore College Open Day
We posted this previously, but don’t forget the Moore College Open Day and Spring Carnival on September 25.
Also, this Sunday (August 15) is being promoted as Moore College Sunday.
‘Religious agencies seek gay adoption bill exemption’
“The New South Wales Cabinet will consider exempting two adoption agencies from a plan to allow gay couples to adopt.
Independent MP Clover Moore introduced a bill in June that seeks to legalise adoption for gay couples.
But Anglicare has written to MPs urging them to vote against the bill and is threatening to withdraw its adoption services if the laws are introduced. … Its chief executive Peter Kell wrote to MPs outlining 11 reasons why the bill should be rejected, including that children need the opportunity to have both a mother and a father. …”
– Report from ABC News. (Photo of Peter Kell: Anglicare.)
PTC Open Night
The Presbyterian Theological Centre in Burwood is having an Open Night on Wednesday 25th August 2010 at 7:30pm.
(And Moore College is having an Open Day on 25th September.)