MR: Greens’ intolerance on marriage a worry for supporters of kids’ rights
MEDIA RELEASE
For release: Wednesday 21st September 2011
The Greens’ intolerance toward people who support marriage between a man and a woman is not only absurd but a worry for people who dissent to their views, according to the Australian Christian Lobby.
The Tasmanian Greens claim today in Parliament that Liberal Leader Will Hodgman’s views supporting marriage are ‘bigoted’ is vitriolic and intolerant ACL Tasmanian Director Mark Brown said.
“A disappointing factor of the marriage debate has been the serial demonisation of people who support marriage,” Mr Brown said.
“What have we come to where it is ‘bigoted’ and ‘shameful’ to support the idea of marriage remaining between a man and a woman?
“Many people support marriage because they believe being raised by parents of different genders, wherever possible, is in the best interests of a child. Surely this is not bigotry,” Mr Brown said.
“If the Greens had absolute political power, what would they do to ‘bigots’ who do not conform to their views? Would it become a crime to say that a child should have every opportunity to have a mum and a dad?”
Mr Brown said today’s debate on same-sex marriage was a typical misuse of the Parliament’s time by the Greens who don’t seem to care that marriage is a Commonwealth responsibility in their pursuit of radical social experiments.
It was disappointing that Tasmanian Labor was continuing to be led by the Greens on social policy, Mr Brown said.
He thanked the Liberals for having the courage to stand for marriage in the face of such intolerant opposition.
“Even though the next election is years away, I’m sure the Christian constituency will not forget how members voted today.”
Media Contact: Katherine Spackman on 0408 875 979 or Mark Brown on 0408 850 629
For release: Wednesday 21st September 2011
The Greens’ intolerance toward people who support marriage between a man and a woman is not only absurd but a worry for people who dissent to their views, according to the Australian Christian Lobby.
The Tasmanian Greens claim today in Parliament that Liberal Leader Will Hodgman’s views supporting marriage are ‘bigoted’ is vitriolic and intolerant ACL Tasmanian Director Mark Brown said.
“A disappointing factor of the marriage debate has been the serial demonisation of people who support marriage,” Mr Brown said.
“What have we come to where it is ‘bigoted’ and ‘shameful’ to support the idea of marriage remaining between a man and a woman?
“Many people support marriage because they believe being raised by parents of different genders, wherever possible, is in the best interests of a child. Surely this is not bigotry,” Mr Brown said.
“If the Greens had absolute political power, what would they do to ‘bigots’ who do not conform to their views? Would it become a crime to say that a child should have every opportunity to have a mum and a dad?”
Mr Brown said today’s debate on same-sex marriage was a typical misuse of the Parliament’s time by the Greens who don’t seem to care that marriage is a Commonwealth responsibility in their pursuit of radical social experiments.
It was disappointing that Tasmanian Labor was continuing to be led by the Greens on social policy, Mr Brown said.
He thanked the Liberals for having the courage to stand for marriage in the face of such intolerant opposition.
“Even though the next election is years away, I’m sure the Christian constituency will not forget how members voted today.”
Media Contact: Katherine Spackman on 0408 875 979 or Mark Brown on 0408 850 629
MR: Commercialising surrogacy commercialises children
Media Release
For release: Monday May 23, 2011
The Australian Christian Lobby has rejected a call by an ACT fertility specialist to commercialise fertility treatments in the territory.
Commercialising surrogacy and egg donation would take advantage of vulnerable women and would also add to the increasing “genetic bewilderment” of donor-conceived children, thereby putting the rights of adults above the rights of the child.
ACT Director Nick Jensen said in response to comments by Doctor Stafford-Bell in The Canberra Times that the idea of commercialised surrogacy is one which is fraught with ethical, legal and medical complexities.
“It would not only create a situation where vulnerable young women could feel pressured to sell their eggs and wombs in order to the cover cost of living, but also fails to recognise the pain and hurt that would continue to be caused to donor-conceived children,” he said.
“We recognise the strong desire for people to have children if they are unable to for whatever reason, but this is not a good enough reason to commercialise it into an industry,” Mr Jensen said.
“Children are not pets to be bought and sold as part of a consumer culture, and the rights and desires of adults should not trump those of children.
“Calls to commercialise the reproductive industry do not take into account that procuring human beings is not a capitalist venture.
“The idea that a rich couple would be able to offer a poverty-stricken woman money to use her body as an incubator is not an ethical one. Even if the woman agrees we would be creating a society where money can even buy people, and equality is being removed.
“Fertility treatment has been a major breakthrough, but we should still keep at the forefront of these laws a child’s right to grow up with their natural mother and father if at all possible, as stated in article 7 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
“We call on the ACT government as they consider legislation around reproductive technology to follow the recommendations given by the Senate on Donor Conception practices in Australia, which prohibits payments on sperm, oocyte and embryo donations, discourages overseas donations, and puts a prohibition on donor anonymity,” Mr Jensen said.
For release: Monday May 23, 2011
The Australian Christian Lobby has rejected a call by an ACT fertility specialist to commercialise fertility treatments in the territory.
Commercialising surrogacy and egg donation would take advantage of vulnerable women and would also add to the increasing “genetic bewilderment” of donor-conceived children, thereby putting the rights of adults above the rights of the child.
ACT Director Nick Jensen said in response to comments by Doctor Stafford-Bell in The Canberra Times that the idea of commercialised surrogacy is one which is fraught with ethical, legal and medical complexities.
“It would not only create a situation where vulnerable young women could feel pressured to sell their eggs and wombs in order to the cover cost of living, but also fails to recognise the pain and hurt that would continue to be caused to donor-conceived children,” he said.
“We recognise the strong desire for people to have children if they are unable to for whatever reason, but this is not a good enough reason to commercialise it into an industry,” Mr Jensen said.
“Children are not pets to be bought and sold as part of a consumer culture, and the rights and desires of adults should not trump those of children.
“Calls to commercialise the reproductive industry do not take into account that procuring human beings is not a capitalist venture.
“The idea that a rich couple would be able to offer a poverty-stricken woman money to use her body as an incubator is not an ethical one. Even if the woman agrees we would be creating a society where money can even buy people, and equality is being removed.
“Fertility treatment has been a major breakthrough, but we should still keep at the forefront of these laws a child’s right to grow up with their natural mother and father if at all possible, as stated in article 7 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
“We call on the ACT government as they consider legislation around reproductive technology to follow the recommendations given by the Senate on Donor Conception practices in Australia, which prohibits payments on sperm, oocyte and embryo donations, discourages overseas donations, and puts a prohibition on donor anonymity,” Mr Jensen said.
MR: SA Government should reject committee’s recommendations
Media Release
For release: Wednesday May 18, 2011
The Australian Christian Lobby urges the South Australian Government not to endorse the Social Development Committee’s recommendations on same-sex parenting because it is not in the best interests of children.
ACL’s acting South Australian Director Rob Ward rejected the committee’s seven recommendations which would prevent children from having a mother and a father.
“The changes proposed to allow single and lesbian women access to assisted reproductive technology and to allow same-sex couples access to adoption and surrogacy would stop children at least beginning life with a mother and father,” he said.
“This should not be seen as a same-sex parenting issue but as being about children’s rights. All things being equal, children have the right to both a mother and a father.
“When it comes to assisted reproduction, children have a fundamental right to be born from natural human origins and, if at all possible, to know and be raised by their biological mother and father.
“Surrogacy is fraught with emotional, biological and legal complexities for children, as well as for women who carry someone else’s baby,” he said.
“Last week’s news about the mother of the first child under Queensland surrogacy law regretting giving up her baby should be a warning to politicians about the complexities.
“Just as the desire to nurture a child is entirely natural for a mother, so is the desire of a child to know his or her biological parents. In some cases this is clearly not possible, such as through death or desertion.
“But where it is possible to avoid the situation of a child growing up without a mother or father, the child’s rights should be considered as paramount and put before the rights of adults, regardless of their strong desire for children.”
The Australian Christian Lobby is opposed to surrogacy, IVF, and other methods used to allow single women or men and same-sex couples to obtain children, and opposes Medicare funding of such measures.
“ACL believes that every child has a natural right to know his or her mum and dad, and to be raised in a home with the complementary love, care and role-modelling of a mother and father,” Mr Ward said.
For release: Wednesday May 18, 2011
The Australian Christian Lobby urges the South Australian Government not to endorse the Social Development Committee’s recommendations on same-sex parenting because it is not in the best interests of children.
ACL’s acting South Australian Director Rob Ward rejected the committee’s seven recommendations which would prevent children from having a mother and a father.
“The changes proposed to allow single and lesbian women access to assisted reproductive technology and to allow same-sex couples access to adoption and surrogacy would stop children at least beginning life with a mother and father,” he said.
“This should not be seen as a same-sex parenting issue but as being about children’s rights. All things being equal, children have the right to both a mother and a father.
“When it comes to assisted reproduction, children have a fundamental right to be born from natural human origins and, if at all possible, to know and be raised by their biological mother and father.
“Surrogacy is fraught with emotional, biological and legal complexities for children, as well as for women who carry someone else’s baby,” he said.
“Last week’s news about the mother of the first child under Queensland surrogacy law regretting giving up her baby should be a warning to politicians about the complexities.
“Just as the desire to nurture a child is entirely natural for a mother, so is the desire of a child to know his or her biological parents. In some cases this is clearly not possible, such as through death or desertion.
“But where it is possible to avoid the situation of a child growing up without a mother or father, the child’s rights should be considered as paramount and put before the rights of adults, regardless of their strong desire for children.”
The Australian Christian Lobby is opposed to surrogacy, IVF, and other methods used to allow single women or men and same-sex couples to obtain children, and opposes Medicare funding of such measures.
“ACL believes that every child has a natural right to know his or her mum and dad, and to be raised in a home with the complementary love, care and role-modelling of a mother and father,” Mr Ward said.
New book documents extent of crisis affecting Australia's children
ACL editor and former Compassion CEO Paul O’Rourke paints a grim and sobering picture of the crisis affecting Australia’s children in a provocative new book, Why Satan Hates Our Kids.
Endorsed by ACL, church leaders and child advocates including Darlene Zschech, who wrote the foreword, the journalist and long-time child advocate lifts the lid on the spiritual and physical attacks on our children, and exhorts the Church to wake up, stand up and act in the best interests of children.
“Australian children are not doing so well . . . record numbers of abortions, children in out-of-home care and reports of abuse and neglect reflect the crisis affecting children of the ‘lucky country’,’’ he said.
“Recent high profile stories on abused children, including a father dropping his terrified four-year-old daughter from the top of Melbourne’s West Gate Bridge, and a seven-year-old girl starving to death in a seaside town north of Newcastle are shocking, but not uncommon in 21st century Australia.
“In March this year, police broke the world’s largest internet paedophile ring, arresting hundreds of people, including Australians, and rescuing the child victims of this sickening trade.
“And yet child abuse rated 13th in Australian Childhood Foundation surveys of Australians, behind petrol prices, interest rates and road tolls.’’
Paul outlines the theology of children, details the ways children are under attack, and lists the major political parties’ policies on children and family, together with specific action individuals and churches can take in defending the voiceless.
“It’s time for the Church to recognise the scale of the disaster affecting our children and take action, individually and corporately,’’ Paul said.
“Abortion, poverty, abuse and neglect, the sexualisation of society and family breakdown have a disastrous impact on children, many of whom rate family conflict as their greatest concern, and the cause of their growing self-hatred and depression.
“We are increasingly hypocritical and contradictory in our attitudes to children. We marvel at life-saving surgery performed on babies in the womb, and our ability to save premature babies, but also demand the right to abort children any time from conception to full term.
“We have reduced children to a commodity that can be discarded or made-to-order for artificial family constructs where children will be raised without access to their biological parents.’’
Why Satan Hates Our Kids is available through ACL for $26 (GST and postage inclusive) per copy. Each sale supports the work of ACL. To purchase your copy please contact the ACL National Office on (02) 6259 0431.
About the author
Paul O’Rourke was CEO of child development and child advocacy ministry Compassion Australia for nine years until June 2010 when he left to pursue advocacy for Australian children, including writing Why Satan Hates Our Kids, and project managing ACL’s Best Interests of the Child campaign.
Paul also edits ACL’s public policy magazine Viewpoint.
While at Compassion, Paul completed a Master’s Degree in Holistic Child Development developed by Compassion and taught through Malaysian Baptist Theological Seminary. He also completed theological studies through his home church, C3 Church Victory, School of Ministry.
Before Compassion, Paul spent 17 years in print journalism as a reporter, editor and managing editor, including as editor-in-chief of the Newcastle Herald.
He is married to Janine, his best friend and wife of 29 years. They have three adult children and three grandchildren.
Paul is on the governing board of C3 Victory in Newcastle and writes and speaks widely on children's issues.
Endorsed by ACL, church leaders and child advocates including Darlene Zschech, who wrote the foreword, the journalist and long-time child advocate lifts the lid on the spiritual and physical attacks on our children, and exhorts the Church to wake up, stand up and act in the best interests of children.
“Australian children are not doing so well . . . record numbers of abortions, children in out-of-home care and reports of abuse and neglect reflect the crisis affecting children of the ‘lucky country’,’’ he said.
“Recent high profile stories on abused children, including a father dropping his terrified four-year-old daughter from the top of Melbourne’s West Gate Bridge, and a seven-year-old girl starving to death in a seaside town north of Newcastle are shocking, but not uncommon in 21st century Australia.
“In March this year, police broke the world’s largest internet paedophile ring, arresting hundreds of people, including Australians, and rescuing the child victims of this sickening trade.
“And yet child abuse rated 13th in Australian Childhood Foundation surveys of Australians, behind petrol prices, interest rates and road tolls.’’
Paul outlines the theology of children, details the ways children are under attack, and lists the major political parties’ policies on children and family, together with specific action individuals and churches can take in defending the voiceless.
“It’s time for the Church to recognise the scale of the disaster affecting our children and take action, individually and corporately,’’ Paul said.
“Abortion, poverty, abuse and neglect, the sexualisation of society and family breakdown have a disastrous impact on children, many of whom rate family conflict as their greatest concern, and the cause of their growing self-hatred and depression.
“We are increasingly hypocritical and contradictory in our attitudes to children. We marvel at life-saving surgery performed on babies in the womb, and our ability to save premature babies, but also demand the right to abort children any time from conception to full term.
“We have reduced children to a commodity that can be discarded or made-to-order for artificial family constructs where children will be raised without access to their biological parents.’’
Why Satan Hates Our Kids is available through ACL for $26 (GST and postage inclusive) per copy. Each sale supports the work of ACL. To purchase your copy please contact the ACL National Office on (02) 6259 0431.
About the author
Paul O’Rourke was CEO of child development and child advocacy ministry Compassion Australia for nine years until June 2010 when he left to pursue advocacy for Australian children, including writing Why Satan Hates Our Kids, and project managing ACL’s Best Interests of the Child campaign.
Paul also edits ACL’s public policy magazine Viewpoint.
While at Compassion, Paul completed a Master’s Degree in Holistic Child Development developed by Compassion and taught through Malaysian Baptist Theological Seminary. He also completed theological studies through his home church, C3 Church Victory, School of Ministry.
Before Compassion, Paul spent 17 years in print journalism as a reporter, editor and managing editor, including as editor-in-chief of the Newcastle Herald.
He is married to Janine, his best friend and wife of 29 years. They have three adult children and three grandchildren.
Paul is on the governing board of C3 Victory in Newcastle and writes and speaks widely on children's issues.
Media Release:Surrogacy Bill tramples rights of the child
Media Release
16th March 2011
The Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) said the Tasmanian Government’s Surrogacy Bill, tabled yesterday, tramples the rights of the child to at least begin life with a mother and father.
Tasmanian Director Mark Brown said Tasmania should not go down the same path as other states in allowing two men, two women and even single people to acquire a baby through surrogacy – thereby depriving the children of the complementary love and care of a mother and a father.
“This bill is fraught with emotional, biological and legal complexities for children, as well as for women who carry someone else’s baby,” he said.
Mr Brown said the Surrogacy Bill did not reflect the recommendations handed down in last month’s federal Senate report into donor conception practices – which is intricately linked to the surrogacy issues.
“Last month’s report into donor conception practices made 31 recommendations including that Tasmania should introduce legislation to regulate donor conception and that there be a national register of donors for the child to know information about their biological parent. However, the bill has largely ignored these child-friendly recommendations of the Senate,” he said.
“If the Government does decide to proceed with changing the laws we would urge all political parties to allow their members a conscience vote on the issue.”
Mr Brown said it was vital that the Government consider the best interests of children and, if they go ahead with legalising surrogacy, to separate the bill into two issues: heterosexual surrogacy and homosexual and single parent surrogacy.
“While we understand the heart-felt desire of adults to have children, we should not be placing those desires above the rights of a child to have both a mother and a father. Children are not commodities and their interests should always come before the desires of adults,” Mr Brown said.
“Clearly it is not in the best interests of children for the State to allow them to be conceived through assisted reproductive technology and then placed in an unnatural family construct that denies them a mother or a father.”
16th March 2011
The Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) said the Tasmanian Government’s Surrogacy Bill, tabled yesterday, tramples the rights of the child to at least begin life with a mother and father.
Tasmanian Director Mark Brown said Tasmania should not go down the same path as other states in allowing two men, two women and even single people to acquire a baby through surrogacy – thereby depriving the children of the complementary love and care of a mother and a father.
“This bill is fraught with emotional, biological and legal complexities for children, as well as for women who carry someone else’s baby,” he said.
Mr Brown said the Surrogacy Bill did not reflect the recommendations handed down in last month’s federal Senate report into donor conception practices – which is intricately linked to the surrogacy issues.
“Last month’s report into donor conception practices made 31 recommendations including that Tasmania should introduce legislation to regulate donor conception and that there be a national register of donors for the child to know information about their biological parent. However, the bill has largely ignored these child-friendly recommendations of the Senate,” he said.
“If the Government does decide to proceed with changing the laws we would urge all political parties to allow their members a conscience vote on the issue.”
Mr Brown said it was vital that the Government consider the best interests of children and, if they go ahead with legalising surrogacy, to separate the bill into two issues: heterosexual surrogacy and homosexual and single parent surrogacy.
“While we understand the heart-felt desire of adults to have children, we should not be placing those desires above the rights of a child to have both a mother and a father. Children are not commodities and their interests should always come before the desires of adults,” Mr Brown said.
“Clearly it is not in the best interests of children for the State to allow them to be conceived through assisted reproductive technology and then placed in an unnatural family construct that denies them a mother or a father.”
Vic Govt challenged to fund lobbying to advance children’s interests and religious freedom
Media Release
The Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) today challenged the Victorian Government to fund more effective representation of key concerns in the State such as the best interests of children and religious freedom – two issues important to all Victorians.
The call comes on the back of the Victorian Government’s weekend announcement that it will provide $400,000 to fund and recognise a peak gay lobby group as part of a package of measures obviously aimed at winning the gay vote.
“If the Government has this kind of money to allocate to lobbying, then why aren’t they offering the same largesse and favourable treatment to what I would argue are far more pressing issues in our State – issues which affect far more people but are largely going unaddressed?” ACL Victorian Director Rob Ward said today.
“There is plenty of evidence to show that a distressing number of children are being neglected and abused or are bearing the brunt of poverty in our society. Children are also suffering from increased incidence of family breakdown and the effects of the sexualisation of children in the media environment.
“Where is the Government funding to enable the Christian constituency and relevant not-for-profit groups to more effectively lobby to see these issues addressed?” Mr Ward asked.
“In terms of religious freedom, concerns have even been raised internationally about Victoria’s threat to this basic freedom, such as through its anti-vilification laws. The Christian constituency would also greatly welcome moves by the Government to fund and give an ear to representation on these concerns.”
Mr Ward said that the lead up to the Victorian election was a perfect time for the Government to give greater priority to these pressing needs and to show that it is looking to govern for all Victorians rather than just trying to win over a few gay voters.
Media Contact: Glynis Quinlan 0408 875 979
The Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) today challenged the Victorian Government to fund more effective representation of key concerns in the State such as the best interests of children and religious freedom – two issues important to all Victorians.
The call comes on the back of the Victorian Government’s weekend announcement that it will provide $400,000 to fund and recognise a peak gay lobby group as part of a package of measures obviously aimed at winning the gay vote.
“If the Government has this kind of money to allocate to lobbying, then why aren’t they offering the same largesse and favourable treatment to what I would argue are far more pressing issues in our State – issues which affect far more people but are largely going unaddressed?” ACL Victorian Director Rob Ward said today.
“There is plenty of evidence to show that a distressing number of children are being neglected and abused or are bearing the brunt of poverty in our society. Children are also suffering from increased incidence of family breakdown and the effects of the sexualisation of children in the media environment.
“Where is the Government funding to enable the Christian constituency and relevant not-for-profit groups to more effectively lobby to see these issues addressed?” Mr Ward asked.
“In terms of religious freedom, concerns have even been raised internationally about Victoria’s threat to this basic freedom, such as through its anti-vilification laws. The Christian constituency would also greatly welcome moves by the Government to fund and give an ear to representation on these concerns.”
Mr Ward said that the lead up to the Victorian election was a perfect time for the Government to give greater priority to these pressing needs and to show that it is looking to govern for all Victorians rather than just trying to win over a few gay voters.
Media Contact: Glynis Quinlan 0408 875 979
Victorian Government sells out on children’s rights for gay vote
Media Release
The Victorian Government is planning to sell out the best interests of children as part of a package of measures to win the gay vote, the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) said today.
ACL Victorian Director Rob Ward said Victorian Labor’s blatant attempt to chase the gay vote by proposing to give them same-sex adoption and a package of other inducements makes a mockery of any claims that changes to adoption laws would only be made if they are better for children.
“The best interests of children are meant to be paramount in adoption laws but here we have the Government indicating it is willing to look at changing these laws solely to appease gay voters,” Mr Ward said.
“With large numbers of heterosexual couples waiting years to adopt a child it is difficult to understand how placing an adopted child in a home where they will be denied the benefit of having both a mother and a father could ever be construed as putting a child’s best interests first.”
Mr Ward said Victorian Labor should be looking to govern for all Victorians and it is alarming to see the party cynically chasing the gay vote, perhaps as a way to counter-act the increased popularity of The Greens.
“It is also a major concern that the Government may be looking to withhold funding from faith-based community welfare organisations which, for instance, might prefer not to employ people whose lifestyle choices might not accord with their religious beliefs,” Mr Ward said. “Rather than genuinely partnering with these organisations – which play such a significant role in Victoria – the Government appears to be trying to impose its own ‘diversity’ regime on them by using funding as the lever.”
Mr Ward said there is also concern that the Government is proposing to give special rights to gay lobby groups to influence government policies, even though they represent only around two per cent of the population.
“One has to question why the Government would discriminate against other lobby groups by choosing to give $400,000 to an already articulate and well-financed gay lobby. In terms of buying votes this is taking pork-barrelling to a new low.”
In terms of the $100,000 over four years to be committed to addressing homophobic harassment, Mr Ward said: “All violence is wrong but I am unaware of any evidence of an epidemic of homophobic violence in Victoria. If such a thing is taking place than a mere $25,000 each year to address it is tokenistic.”
Mr Ward urged the Victorian Government to consider the interests of all Victorians – and particularly children – in the lead-up to the election and to resist pressure to try to outbid The Greens in efforts to secure the small gay vote.
Media Contact: Glynis Quinlan 0408 875 979
The Victorian Government is planning to sell out the best interests of children as part of a package of measures to win the gay vote, the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) said today.
ACL Victorian Director Rob Ward said Victorian Labor’s blatant attempt to chase the gay vote by proposing to give them same-sex adoption and a package of other inducements makes a mockery of any claims that changes to adoption laws would only be made if they are better for children.
“The best interests of children are meant to be paramount in adoption laws but here we have the Government indicating it is willing to look at changing these laws solely to appease gay voters,” Mr Ward said.
“With large numbers of heterosexual couples waiting years to adopt a child it is difficult to understand how placing an adopted child in a home where they will be denied the benefit of having both a mother and a father could ever be construed as putting a child’s best interests first.”
Mr Ward said Victorian Labor should be looking to govern for all Victorians and it is alarming to see the party cynically chasing the gay vote, perhaps as a way to counter-act the increased popularity of The Greens.
“It is also a major concern that the Government may be looking to withhold funding from faith-based community welfare organisations which, for instance, might prefer not to employ people whose lifestyle choices might not accord with their religious beliefs,” Mr Ward said. “Rather than genuinely partnering with these organisations – which play such a significant role in Victoria – the Government appears to be trying to impose its own ‘diversity’ regime on them by using funding as the lever.”
Mr Ward said there is also concern that the Government is proposing to give special rights to gay lobby groups to influence government policies, even though they represent only around two per cent of the population.
“One has to question why the Government would discriminate against other lobby groups by choosing to give $400,000 to an already articulate and well-financed gay lobby. In terms of buying votes this is taking pork-barrelling to a new low.”
In terms of the $100,000 over four years to be committed to addressing homophobic harassment, Mr Ward said: “All violence is wrong but I am unaware of any evidence of an epidemic of homophobic violence in Victoria. If such a thing is taking place than a mere $25,000 each year to address it is tokenistic.”
Mr Ward urged the Victorian Government to consider the interests of all Victorians – and particularly children – in the lead-up to the election and to resist pressure to try to outbid The Greens in efforts to secure the small gay vote.
Media Contact: Glynis Quinlan 0408 875 979
ACL commends MPs who supported orphans’ rights
MEDIA RELEASE
For release: September 9, 2010
The Managing Director of the Australian Christian Lobby strongly commended the minority of NSW Parliamentarians who supported the rights of orphans and children given up for adoption to a mother and father.
“Throughout history it seems propaganda has intermittently triumphed over what is right or logical”, said Jim Wallace.
“Today is such a moment, all the sadder for the issue at stake – the best interests of the most vulnerable orphaned or relinquished children.”
“This debate has been waged by the gay and lesbian activists with smart marketing strategy, the usual deception and complete disregard for anyone else’s rights” said Mr Wallace.
“The real issue here has never been, as claimed, about children in same sex families, but the right of wards of the state to expect Government to uphold the until now timeless principle, that adoption is about children, not adults. About finding mothers and fathers for children tragically denied them – not children for adults, heterosexual or homosexual.”
“The media must also accept a large part of the responsibility for this outcome. It has been totally uncritical of the gay agenda, and by that failed to expose the real issue at stake – one that would definitely not have public support outside inner city cafes,” said Jim Wallace.
“Adoption is about children.”
Mr Wallace hoped the MPs who only narrowly missed defeating this in the Lower House because of two absences, would maintain their resolve to see that the next debate on the obvious need to regulate surrogacy, would not be used to camouflage this aggressive gay agenda yet again.
“In QLD we now have surrogacy available to even a single man,” said Mr Wallace. “Clearly this should not happen; children are not pets to be had at a whim.”
“I sincerely hope that those who have shown the moral fibre so otherwise increasingly missing in the NSW Parliament at large, will continue to uphold the real best interests of the child, without being duped by this aggressive and selfish gay rights agenda.”
“It was hard to imagine the NSW Parliament sinking even lower in the average person’s esteem, demonstrating even more lack of moral authority, but this has surely done it,” he said.
For release: September 9, 2010
The Managing Director of the Australian Christian Lobby strongly commended the minority of NSW Parliamentarians who supported the rights of orphans and children given up for adoption to a mother and father.
“Throughout history it seems propaganda has intermittently triumphed over what is right or logical”, said Jim Wallace.
“Today is such a moment, all the sadder for the issue at stake – the best interests of the most vulnerable orphaned or relinquished children.”
“This debate has been waged by the gay and lesbian activists with smart marketing strategy, the usual deception and complete disregard for anyone else’s rights” said Mr Wallace.
“The real issue here has never been, as claimed, about children in same sex families, but the right of wards of the state to expect Government to uphold the until now timeless principle, that adoption is about children, not adults. About finding mothers and fathers for children tragically denied them – not children for adults, heterosexual or homosexual.”
“The media must also accept a large part of the responsibility for this outcome. It has been totally uncritical of the gay agenda, and by that failed to expose the real issue at stake – one that would definitely not have public support outside inner city cafes,” said Jim Wallace.
“Adoption is about children.”
Mr Wallace hoped the MPs who only narrowly missed defeating this in the Lower House because of two absences, would maintain their resolve to see that the next debate on the obvious need to regulate surrogacy, would not be used to camouflage this aggressive gay agenda yet again.
“In QLD we now have surrogacy available to even a single man,” said Mr Wallace. “Clearly this should not happen; children are not pets to be had at a whim.”
“I sincerely hope that those who have shown the moral fibre so otherwise increasingly missing in the NSW Parliament at large, will continue to uphold the real best interests of the child, without being duped by this aggressive and selfish gay rights agenda.”
“It was hard to imagine the NSW Parliament sinking even lower in the average person’s esteem, demonstrating even more lack of moral authority, but this has surely done it,” he said.
NSW parliamentarians urged to reject gay adoption bill
The Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) today urged NSW parliamentarians to reject a same-sex adoption bill set to be debated as early as tomorrow, saying that it goes against the best interests of the children who as a consequence will miss out on the love and role models of both a mother and a father.
ACL NSW Director David Hutt said it is astounding that with only nine sitting weeks before the March 2011 election and a myriad of problems to deal with, the NSW Parliament is focussing its attention on fulfilling the gay lobby’s demands even though they go against the rights of children.
“NSW is facing crises in the areas of road, rail, infrastructure, energy security and much more. We are not facing a gay adoption crisis. This bill is an indulgence on the Parliament’s time,” Mr Hutt said.
“Heterosexual couples who can provide a more complete family environment are already spending years on NSW waiting lists in the hope of adopting a child, with many missing out. Now, it appears that politicians are to consider a bill which would see children who are being adopted out – and may already be in difficult emotional circumstances – losing the benefit of having both a mum and a dad.
“It defies belief that, behind the smokescreen of the federal election campaign, we are seeing this kind of social engineering legislation pushed to the fore despite the very real concerns about what it will mean for children in the future.”
Most worrying is the deceptive line being run that this is really about addressing some entrenched inequality for children already with homosexual parents.
Mr Hutt said that a raft of changes to Federal and State laws in recent years have dealt with discrimination affecting children in same-sex families and this issue should not be considered a reason to introduce gay adoption.
“The bill put forward by Independent Member Clover Moore – and which the NSW Government is allowing to be debated – clearly allows for ‘stranger’ adoption, which could see babies and young children adopted out to two mums or two dads with whom they have no previous connection,” Mr Hutt said.
“The NSW Adoption Act 2000 itself says that no adult has the ‘right’ to adopt a child and that the best interests of the child must be paramount. This is not a gay rights issue. It is, as adoption always is, about the rights of the child.”
“We strongly urge all NSW parliamentarians to consider what is at stake and reject the same-sex adoption bill.”
Media Contact: Glynis Quinlan 0408 875 979
ACL NSW Director David Hutt said it is astounding that with only nine sitting weeks before the March 2011 election and a myriad of problems to deal with, the NSW Parliament is focussing its attention on fulfilling the gay lobby’s demands even though they go against the rights of children.
“NSW is facing crises in the areas of road, rail, infrastructure, energy security and much more. We are not facing a gay adoption crisis. This bill is an indulgence on the Parliament’s time,” Mr Hutt said.
“Heterosexual couples who can provide a more complete family environment are already spending years on NSW waiting lists in the hope of adopting a child, with many missing out. Now, it appears that politicians are to consider a bill which would see children who are being adopted out – and may already be in difficult emotional circumstances – losing the benefit of having both a mum and a dad.
“It defies belief that, behind the smokescreen of the federal election campaign, we are seeing this kind of social engineering legislation pushed to the fore despite the very real concerns about what it will mean for children in the future.”
Most worrying is the deceptive line being run that this is really about addressing some entrenched inequality for children already with homosexual parents.
Mr Hutt said that a raft of changes to Federal and State laws in recent years have dealt with discrimination affecting children in same-sex families and this issue should not be considered a reason to introduce gay adoption.
“The bill put forward by Independent Member Clover Moore – and which the NSW Government is allowing to be debated – clearly allows for ‘stranger’ adoption, which could see babies and young children adopted out to two mums or two dads with whom they have no previous connection,” Mr Hutt said.
“The NSW Adoption Act 2000 itself says that no adult has the ‘right’ to adopt a child and that the best interests of the child must be paramount. This is not a gay rights issue. It is, as adoption always is, about the rights of the child.”
“We strongly urge all NSW parliamentarians to consider what is at stake and reject the same-sex adoption bill.”
Media Contact: Glynis Quinlan 0408 875 979
Gay activists must prove disadvantage before denying kids a mum and a dad
MEDIA RELEASE
For release: June 25, 2010
The gay and lesbian rights lobby must prove that children already living in same-sex families are disadvantaged before denying a child the human right to both a mother and father is entrenched in NSW adoption law, the Australian Christian Lobby said today.
ACL’s NSW Director David Hutt said children born to a parent who was now in a same sex relationship should have any real or perceived disadvantage remedied without the need to change adoption laws.
“ACL does not wish to see any child disadvantaged. A raft of changes to Federal and State laws in recent years had dealt with discrimination affecting children in same sex families and if there were any remaining areas these should be looked at separately from adoption laws.
“However, it is important that where the State must intervene on behalf of babies and children that it ensures the human right to at least begin life with both a mother and a father is not expunged from our legal system and our culture,” Mr Hutt said.
“The rights of a child must always come before the lifestyle choices of adults,” Mr Hutt said.
“Despite all of the law reform of the past couple of years to assist same sex couples and their children from previous heterosexual relationships, it seems the selfish political agenda of the gay and lesbian rights lobby will not be satisfied until two men or two women are allowed to acquire babies or young children by adoption,” Mr Hutt said.
Mr Hutt said many people in NSW would be disappointed by Premier Kristina Keneally’s support for the bill.
“NSW politicians must show courage on behalf of our most vulnerable and ensure that every child in which the State has an interest has the human right to a mother and a father.”
Yesterday the independent member for Sydney, Clover Moore introduced a bill to legalise gay adoption. NSW Premier Kristina Keneally has granted Government MPs a conscience vote on the issue and has indicated her personal support for the bill. Opposition MPs have also been granted a conscience vote on the bill.
Media Contact: Glynis Quinlan 0408 875 979
For release: June 25, 2010
The gay and lesbian rights lobby must prove that children already living in same-sex families are disadvantaged before denying a child the human right to both a mother and father is entrenched in NSW adoption law, the Australian Christian Lobby said today.
ACL’s NSW Director David Hutt said children born to a parent who was now in a same sex relationship should have any real or perceived disadvantage remedied without the need to change adoption laws.
“ACL does not wish to see any child disadvantaged. A raft of changes to Federal and State laws in recent years had dealt with discrimination affecting children in same sex families and if there were any remaining areas these should be looked at separately from adoption laws.
“However, it is important that where the State must intervene on behalf of babies and children that it ensures the human right to at least begin life with both a mother and a father is not expunged from our legal system and our culture,” Mr Hutt said.
“The rights of a child must always come before the lifestyle choices of adults,” Mr Hutt said.
“Despite all of the law reform of the past couple of years to assist same sex couples and their children from previous heterosexual relationships, it seems the selfish political agenda of the gay and lesbian rights lobby will not be satisfied until two men or two women are allowed to acquire babies or young children by adoption,” Mr Hutt said.
Mr Hutt said many people in NSW would be disappointed by Premier Kristina Keneally’s support for the bill.
“NSW politicians must show courage on behalf of our most vulnerable and ensure that every child in which the State has an interest has the human right to a mother and a father.”
Yesterday the independent member for Sydney, Clover Moore introduced a bill to legalise gay adoption. NSW Premier Kristina Keneally has granted Government MPs a conscience vote on the issue and has indicated her personal support for the bill. Opposition MPs have also been granted a conscience vote on the bill.
Media Contact: Glynis Quinlan 0408 875 979