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Date Posted: 00:03:22 11/20/02 Wed
Author: will
Subject: can this be one of your reference?
In reply to: jj 's message, "Ai{Pʪ̥iHip" on 05:06:17 11/19/02 Tue

Tassie gays' adoption win
By MARTINE HALEY
01 November 2002
TASMANIAN gay and lesbian couples will be allowed to legally adopt children from the middle of next year.
And gay couples will be able to officially register their relationships with the Office of Births, Deaths and Marriages.
Tasmania will be the second state in Australia to allow gay couples to adopt. Western Australia legalised gay adoptions earlier this year.
But Tasmania will be the only state to give legal recognition to gay relationships in the form of a registered contract.
Attorney-General Judy Jackson said yesterday the issue was one of human rights, not morality.
"We have very good adoption laws in Tasmania which put the interests of the child first," Ms Jackson said.
"If we consider adoptions are appropriate for heterosexuals, then it is appropriate for gays."
Ms Jackson said the number of adoptions in Tasmania was very low _ fewer than 10 a year.
She envisaged most gay adoptions would involve second parent adoptions _ in which a partner brings a child from another relationship into the gay relationsh! ip.
"It is only right and proper, in the best interests of the child, to protect it financially and emotionally," Ms Jackson said.
"If people want to adopt there is very strict criteria, and if they are adopting from overseas they have to go through very strict criteria.
"It is very difficult to adopt from overseas and all adoptions are country-to-country, you can't pick up a child off the street or an orphanage.
"I don't think there is any fear children will be left unprotected."
On the issue of gay couples registering their relationship, Ms Jackson said themove was important to some members of the community.
"Some heterosexual couples choose not to marry, but they have the choice," Ms Jackson said.
"This move will give gay couples the choice to register their relationship if they wish: it will be a contract.
"Like a marriage contract, one member will also be able to break the contract if they wish."
Opposition justice spokesman Michael Hodgman sa! id public consultation and debate on the issue was needed.
Mr Hodgman said the Liberals would allow a conscience vote.
"There will be many who take the view that there is nothing wrong with it [gay adoptions]," Mr Hodgman said.
"There will be a very large number who will take the view that it is going too far.
"We are asking the Government to let us have the details, let the community express its view. And we as a responsible opposition will analyse those views and formulate our position.
"My position is it is probably going too far, but I am open to persuasion."
He foreshadowed a legal "minefield", particularly in the area of inheritance and property rights.
Greens leader Peg Putt said the move recognised the reality that children lived in gay households.
"This move will give these children added security," Ms Putt said.
Gay rights advocate Rodney Croome welcomed the move to allow gays to be assessed for adoption programs and register thei! r relationships.
He said he knew of a number of Tasmanian couples, particularly those with step-children, who wanted to adopt the child of their partner.
"If there is no other parenting claim, such as if the other parent is dead, it is in the best interests of the child to have two legal parents," Mr Croome said.
"Excluding same-sex couples from adopting reinforces a prejudice that gays and lesbians are bad parents.
"All major studies confirm the children of same-sex couples are as well adjusted as their peers.
"Only those who make the grade will be allowed into the adoption program."
Mr Croome said registering gay relationships was important, particularly in emergency situations.
"This will provide proof of a relationship," he said.

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