Tasmania - lesbians and 'parenthood'

The Tasmanian government is currently considering legislation that would allow the lesbian partner of a lesbian birth mother to be registered as the 'parent' of the child. The lesbian partner would be considered the co-parent rather than the child's biological father.

This destroys the ability for the child to have their biological identity recognised by society and further normalises homosexual relationships.

The legislation, called the Relationships (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill, passed the House of Assembly (the lower house) on August 20, 2009.

Only three MPs voted against the Bill - Liberals Will Hodgman, Rene Hidding and Brett Whiteley. We congratulate them!

The Bill then went to the Legislative Council, where it is expected to be debated in October 2009.

We sent a Media Release regarding this issue in late August. In part we state...

All children deserve the right to proper legal recognition of their mother
and father. "Tasmania's Lower House have been irresponsible towards children by giving legal recognition to lesbian partners on a child's birth certificate", said Peter Stokes, CEO of Christian Ethics group Salt Shakers. "This further compounds Tasmania's government irresponsibility by allowing same-sex partners access to IVF. No Government should make it easy for people to do the wrong thing. It is wrong for governments to endorse deliberately bringing children into this world who would not receive the immediate nurture of their biological mother and father".
We call on the Tasmanian Upper House to totally reject this Bill.

Action:

We ask all our Tasmanian readers to write to their Upper House (Legislative Council) representative.

PLEASE CALL ON THEM to reject this piece of social engineering and to put the interests of children ahead of those of selfish adults who want to rob children of their biological history and heritage.

Evidence clearly shows that children do best when raised by their biological mother and father.

No government should make it easy for people to do the wrong thing and adversely affect the most vulnerable in our society. Such action is a failure of their duty of care.

PLEASE also write to: Rene Hidding, Michael Hodgman and Brett Whiteley - the ONLY Lower House (House of Assembly) MPs to vote against the Bill. They need our support.

For MP contact details and email addresses - click here.  

Details of the legislation

To see the Bill itself and the progress of the Bill on the Tasmanian Parliament website:
Actual Bill - Relationships (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill
Progress of Bill - Relationships (Miscellaneous Amendments) 40 of 2009
Date shown is when the Bill passes the particular stage.

Media reports:
Same-sex parent Bill
The Mercury, August 21, 2009.
"LEGISLATION to end discrimination against same-sex parents passed the House of Assembly yesterday. Same-sex parents cannot be by their child's side during emergency medical treatment or legally sign simple school documents, gay and lesbian advocates say. Legislation to end discrimination against same-sex couples yesterday passed its first hurdle as it was voted through the House of Assembly. 
The lengthy and sometimes emotional debate split the Liberals after party members were allowed a conscience vote. Rene Hidding, Michael Hodgman and Brett Whiteley voted against the Bill.
The Legislative Council will debate the Bill next week...."