Aus News 28: NSW parliament will hold a conscience vote on a bill for legalised adoption by gay couples

Major parties are dividing over the Bill of whether to allow same-sex adoption. The opposition leader of this Bill, Mr O' Farell, claims that same-sex adoption would deny future kids the chance for a mum and dad. Besides, the Liberal Party also opposed the Bill by saying that it will increase the rate of abortions. They further explained that any mother who put up her baby for adoption would never expect their baby to be brought up by a gay or a lesbian couple. The Bill is expected to be debated today, with all MPs granted a conscience vote for the first time on the isuue. On the other hand, the two major child and welfare charities in NSW supported the Bill, saying it would benefit children and boost the number of carers.

Comment:
There are both advantages and disadvantages of permitting same-sex adoption, like what had been argued by the different parties. In my own view, it goes back to the main issue-- homosexual discrimination. If people are ready to accept homosexual relationships, then same-sex adoption should not be a problem as well. However, it depends on how we look at the issue. Since it is hard to reach a consensus on an issue, government will then have to do something to ensure that the decision on the Bill will satisfy both sides of the argument.