Important read for all concerned about children
Katy Faust and Stacy Manning’s book, Them Before Us, reverses the usual adult-centric conversation about marriage, family, surrogacy, adoption, reproductive technology, divorce, same-sex parenting, cohabitation and even polygamy by considering these issues from the child’s perspective and rights.
Read moreBell does Well
Troy Bell the Independent member for Mt Gambier has tabled a motion in the Lower House which calls for the removal of barriers to adoption so that more SA children could be placed in permanent homes rather than in foster care.
Read moreACL provides input to Law Reform Commission adoption inquiry
The Victorian Law Reform Commission is currently reviewing the Adoption Act 1984 and the Adoption Regulations 2008 with a view to reporting by 28 February 2017.
Read moreState Parliament passes raft of unethical bills
Last week, a raft of ideologically-motivated rainbow legislation passed the South Australian Upper House in a pre-Christmas blitz on human dignity.
Read moreWhy a mum and a dad matters to a child put up for adoption
The Australian Christian Lobby has urged South Australian Upper House parliamentarians to reject a bill that intentionally removes the right of children to know the love and care of a mother and father.
Read moreBest interest of children ignored in latest adoption reform
In a concerning move, late last night the Queensland Government rushed divisive legislation through Parliament taking away the rights of adopted children, wherever possible, to have both a mother and a father, according to the Australian Christian Lobby.
Read moreMR: ACL urges Tasmanian Government to reject proposed changes to adoption laws
MEDIA RELEASE
Wednesday, 26th June 2013
Amendments to adoption laws in Tasmania would deny children the right to be raised by a mother and a father, according to the Australian Christian Lobby.
Proposed changes to the Adoption Act 1988 - likely to be debated in the upper house on Thursday - would allow those registered with a significant relationship, including unmarried and same-sex couples, to adopt an unknown child.
ACL’s Tasmanian Director Mark Brown has urged the government to reject the changes in order to protect the rights of vulnerable children.
“Children’s interests are best met, where possible, in the stability of a married relationship with the complementary love of a mum and dad,” he said.
“Every child should have the right to be raised by both a mother and a father – each parent differently and subsequently provide a diversity and balance in a child’s development,” he said.
Under current law, only heterosexual couples married for more than three years are eligible to adopt.
“Governments who are considering the ‘rights’ of same-sex couples wanting to adopt should first and foremost consider whether allowing them to do so will serve the best interests of children.
“A large number of heterosexual couples have waited years for the opportunity to adopt, so it is difficult to understand how placing an adopted child in a home where they will be denied the benefit of having a mother and a father could ever be in a child’s best interest,” Mr Brown said.
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Wednesday, 26th June 2013
Amendments to adoption laws in Tasmania would deny children the right to be raised by a mother and a father, according to the Australian Christian Lobby.
Proposed changes to the Adoption Act 1988 - likely to be debated in the upper house on Thursday - would allow those registered with a significant relationship, including unmarried and same-sex couples, to adopt an unknown child.
ACL’s Tasmanian Director Mark Brown has urged the government to reject the changes in order to protect the rights of vulnerable children.
“Children’s interests are best met, where possible, in the stability of a married relationship with the complementary love of a mum and dad,” he said.
“Every child should have the right to be raised by both a mother and a father – each parent differently and subsequently provide a diversity and balance in a child’s development,” he said.
Under current law, only heterosexual couples married for more than three years are eligible to adopt.
“Governments who are considering the ‘rights’ of same-sex couples wanting to adopt should first and foremost consider whether allowing them to do so will serve the best interests of children.
“A large number of heterosexual couples have waited years for the opportunity to adopt, so it is difficult to understand how placing an adopted child in a home where they will be denied the benefit of having a mother and a father could ever be in a child’s best interest,” Mr Brown said.
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MR: Proposed adoption laws lacks impetus for change
MEDIA RELEASE
Monday 8th April 2013
The Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) is urging the Tasmanian Government to reject changes to adoption laws expected to be debated this week in parliament that would deny children the right to be raised by a mother and father.
ACL’s Tasmanian Director Mark Brown said not only does it ignore the rights of the child but there is no need for the laws to change with very few children surrendered for adoption.
The proposed changes to the Adoption Act would allow unmarried and same-sex couples to adopt children given up by their biological parents.
Mr Brown said it is the duty of governments to always act in the best interests of children.
“All things being equal, children have the right to both a mother and a father. We know that through tragedy or desertion this is not always possible but adoption is one area where governments can restore this important value for the benefit of children,” Mr Brown said.
“There is no logical reason to suggest that changing the current Adoption Act is needed when the needs of children have not changed and when there are so few adoptions anyway. Adoption is about the needs of these children, not the desires of adults.
“Statistics show that in 2011, there were only two Australian children surrendered for ‘unknown’ adoptions and only four intercountry adoptions in the same period,” he said.
“Given there is no demand for more parents for adopted children – why is this being pushed ahead? What’s the real agenda here?” Mr Brown said.
Mr Brown said a change to adoption legislation would be nonsensical, as it would deny the importance of motherhood and fatherhood.
“Fathers and mothers parent differently from one another, and providing that diversity in a child’s upbringing is important for their development,” he said.
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Monday 8th April 2013
The Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) is urging the Tasmanian Government to reject changes to adoption laws expected to be debated this week in parliament that would deny children the right to be raised by a mother and father.
ACL’s Tasmanian Director Mark Brown said not only does it ignore the rights of the child but there is no need for the laws to change with very few children surrendered for adoption.
The proposed changes to the Adoption Act would allow unmarried and same-sex couples to adopt children given up by their biological parents.
Mr Brown said it is the duty of governments to always act in the best interests of children.
“All things being equal, children have the right to both a mother and a father. We know that through tragedy or desertion this is not always possible but adoption is one area where governments can restore this important value for the benefit of children,” Mr Brown said.
“There is no logical reason to suggest that changing the current Adoption Act is needed when the needs of children have not changed and when there are so few adoptions anyway. Adoption is about the needs of these children, not the desires of adults.
“Statistics show that in 2011, there were only two Australian children surrendered for ‘unknown’ adoptions and only four intercountry adoptions in the same period,” he said.
“Given there is no demand for more parents for adopted children – why is this being pushed ahead? What’s the real agenda here?” Mr Brown said.
Mr Brown said a change to adoption legislation would be nonsensical, as it would deny the importance of motherhood and fatherhood.
“Fathers and mothers parent differently from one another, and providing that diversity in a child’s upbringing is important for their development,” he said.
- ends –
MR: Rights of children ignored under new plans to allow same-sex couples to adopt in Tasmania
MEDIA RELEASE
Thursday, 21st March 2013
The Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) is urging the Tasmanian government to reject changes to adoption laws in the state that would deny children the right to be raised by a mother and father.
ACL’s Tasmanian Director Mark Brown said the tabling of changes to the Adoption Act in Parliament today by Children’s Minister Michelle O’Byrne would allow unmarried and same-sex couples to adopt children given up by their biological parents.
Existing laws allow only married couples to adopt, and same-sex couples have the right only to adopt a relative or stepchild and Mr Brown said it is the duty of governments to protect the rights of children.
“All things being equal, children have the right to both a mother and a father. We know that through tragedy or desertion this is not always possible but adoption is one area where governments can restore this important value for the benefit of children,” Mr Brown said.
“There is no logical reason to suggest that changing the current Adoption Act is needed when the needs of children have not changed and when there are so few adoptions anyway. Adoption is about the needs of these children, not adults.
“Statistics show that in 2011, there were only two Australian children surrendered for ‘unknown’ adoptions and only four intercountry adoptions in the same period,” he said.
Mr Brown said a change to adoption legislation would be nonsensical, as it would completely deny the importance of motherhood and fatherhood.
“Fathers and mothers parent differently from one another, and providing that diversity in a child’s upbringing is important for their development,” he said.
ENDS
Thursday, 21st March 2013
The Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) is urging the Tasmanian government to reject changes to adoption laws in the state that would deny children the right to be raised by a mother and father.
ACL’s Tasmanian Director Mark Brown said the tabling of changes to the Adoption Act in Parliament today by Children’s Minister Michelle O’Byrne would allow unmarried and same-sex couples to adopt children given up by their biological parents.
Existing laws allow only married couples to adopt, and same-sex couples have the right only to adopt a relative or stepchild and Mr Brown said it is the duty of governments to protect the rights of children.
“All things being equal, children have the right to both a mother and a father. We know that through tragedy or desertion this is not always possible but adoption is one area where governments can restore this important value for the benefit of children,” Mr Brown said.
“There is no logical reason to suggest that changing the current Adoption Act is needed when the needs of children have not changed and when there are so few adoptions anyway. Adoption is about the needs of these children, not adults.
“Statistics show that in 2011, there were only two Australian children surrendered for ‘unknown’ adoptions and only four intercountry adoptions in the same period,” he said.
Mr Brown said a change to adoption legislation would be nonsensical, as it would completely deny the importance of motherhood and fatherhood.
“Fathers and mothers parent differently from one another, and providing that diversity in a child’s upbringing is important for their development,” he said.
ENDS