Labor’s double standards for children

Labor has failed to explain its double standards on adoption and surrogacy for same sex couples and singles.

LNP Leader and Leader of the Opposition John-Paul Langbroek said new laws legalising altruistic surrogacy contradicted the Bligh Labor Government’s adoption legislation and stance on the best interests of children.

“When the Bligh Labor Government passed the new Adoption Bill, it ruled that allowing same sex couples and single people to adopt was not in the best interests in a child.

“This government has now shown that it is not interested in providing all children with that same standard.

“Premier Bligh and Labor have decided to maintain laws that will jail same sex couples and single people that adopt children while encouraging and facilitating the same people to engage in altruistic surrogacy.”

Mr Langbroek said that two members of the Bligh Government stood up to threats and intimidation and crossed the floor to vote with the LNP.

“Not only did these members vote against Labor’s double standards legislation but they also supported the LNP’s amendments and put the best interests of the child first.”

The LNP’s Family Surrogacy Bill was discharged by the Government’s legislation, but the LNP sought to legalise altruistic surrogacy for married and de facto heterosexual couples.

Extract from the Adoption Bill 2009 Explanatory Notes –

Overriding the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 in this way clearly breaches fundamental legislative principles. However, the breach is justified because the imposition of discriminatory processes, particularly in relation to the recruitment and selection of prospective adoptive parents, is essential to safeguard the wellbeing and best interests of children who need adoptive placements. This paramount principle must be complied with above the rights of any person wishing to adopt a child, including any rights they may otherwise have under the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 not to experience discrimination.