Clover Moore put the bill forward There's been a narrow victory for the first stage of a bill to allow same sex adoption in New South Wales. In the lower house, 46 MPs have agreed in-principle to the legislation and 44 opposed it. The Sydney Morning Herald says a list of amendments will now be debated and voted on before the final version of the bill is put to a vote, which could occur later today. The private member's bill was put forward by Sydney lord mayor and independent MP for Sydney Clover Moore. Premier Kristina Keneally said during a debate in Parliament last night that same-sex couples should be allowed to adopt because they can - and do - provide children with unconditional love and a stable home. ''When I look at this issue about the adoption of children who are vulnerable, children who would know no other love and acceptance, and I see people offering up that unselfish love to a child - it is something that I, not just as a Christian and a Catholic, but as the leader of this state want to be able to support.'' The Benevolent Society charity and UnitingCare Burnside, one of the largest child and welfare agencies in NSW, have supported the bill, saying it would benefit children and increase the number of foster carers. Opponents from conservative Christian groups held a fiery rally on Tuesday, claiming the passage of the bill would have dire consequences.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Thursday, 2nd September 2010 - 3:23pm