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18 December 2007 - Victoria to move on parenting rights as NSW falls further behind |
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The Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby (GLRL) today warned that NSW continues to fall behind other states and territories in the recognition of same-sex families. In an announcement over the weekend, Victoria looks set to join Western Australia, the Australian Capital Territory, Northern Territory and Tasmania in providing some legal recognition to same-sex families.
Co-Convener of the GLRL, Emily Gray, said this morning, "In 1999, NSW was the first state to provide same-sex couples with comprehensive relationship recognition. In 2007, NSW is falling behind in providing children in same-sex families with the basic financial and emotional security that comes with the legal recognition of their parents."
Western Australian and the Australian Capital Territory provide full equality for same-sex families, by recognising same-sex couple adoption and co-mothers of children born through donor insemination.
Victoria will join the Northern Territory in recognising children born to lesbian mums through donor insemination, but will not change adoption laws at this stage. Tasmania provides some recognition through second-parent adoption, but only for registered couples.
“The Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby urges the NSW government to move comprehensive parenting reform. To fully recognise the diversity of family forms in our community, parenting reform must be a complete package – otherwise some of our families will miss out. The best interests of children should never be compromised for bigotry and discrimination.”
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