Call on Turnbull to protect children of gay couples
18 September 2008
The Australian Coalition for Equality has called on new Liberal leader, Malcolm Turnbull, to confirm the Opposition will support equal legal protection for all Australian children regardless of their parents' gender.
The Rudd Government today announced the Family Law Act will be amended to give the non-biological mothers of children born through fertility treatment the same parent status as non-biological fathers.
ACE spokesperson, Corey Irlam said: "This reform ensures that children born to lesbian couples through IVF or sperm donation have the greater financial and emotional security that comes with having two legal parents rather than one."
"We call on Malcolm Turnbull to confirm the Opposition will unequivocally support a reform that is clearly in the best interests of the children concerned."
The proposed reform was a recommendation of the Human Rights Commission's landmark report into discrimination against same-sex couples, and already has the unanimous support of the bi-partisan Senate Legal and Constitutional Committee.
Mr Irlam applauded the Government for "putting the interests of children first".
"It’s now in the hands of the Opposition leader to ensure children in families headed by a same-sex couple are equally protected."
In the 2006 census around 4,400 children lived in families headed by a same-sex couple, although the real figure is considered to be much higher.
It has also been estimated that around 20% of lesbian couples are parents of children born into their relationship.
Several states and territories equally recognise non-biological mothers in same-sex relationships. They are WA, the ACT, Northern Territory, NSW. Victoria has introduced relevant legislation.
