Member for Davidson, Jonathan O'Dea today spoke against the Adoption Amendment (Same-Sex Couples) Bill 2010, believing it is generally in the best interests of a child to be cared for in a gender-balanced parenting situation, with a mother and father.
"To suggest that the gender of parents does not matter and that same-sex couples should be assessed on exactly the same basis as other prospective parents in all situations is, in my opinion, political correctness gone mad," Mr O’Dea said.
"Specific issues concerning same-sex couples and children living with them can be addressed without resorting to this Bill," he said.
In addition to a petition received from local constituents against this proposed reform, and countless emails for and against the Bill, Mr O'Dea conducted his own online survey. This generated over 500 responses, with the individual comments particularly useful. Local views appear to be roughly split.
"The effect of the Bill has to be examined in conjunction with the NSW Anti-Discrimination Act," Mr O’Dea said.
"In the absence of a specific provision in the Adoption Act to the contrary, the Anti-Discrimination Act would cause difficulties if an adoption agency favoured a gender-balanced couple over a same-sex couple.
"Mindful of all input, and on personal reflection, I believe that this Bill would have been better if it had differentiated between ‘known’ (where a child has an existing relationship with their adoptive parents) and ‘unknown’ adoptions.
"In my opinion, and according to my conscience, the absolute approach under this proposed legislation should be opposed as it is not in the best interests of children and therefore not in the public interest." Mr O'Dea concluded.
