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House of Assembly - Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2)
2015-05-06 Daily Xml
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Adoption

The Hon. S.E. CLOSE (Port Adelaide—Minister for Education and Child Development, Minister for the Public Sector) (15:36): I rise today to bring to the attention of the house an important petition regarding adoption laws in South Australia. This petition was created by Shaun and Blue Douglas-Galley, and I am pleased that they and their adorable sons have been able to spend some time with us in parliament today.

Sean and Blue moved to South Australia with their two sons, who were adopted in the United Kingdom. They have since been campaigning strenuously to change the laws here to recognise their family and afford other couples rights equal to those of heterosexual families when it comes to adoption. This petition has obviously struck a chord with many people in our community, as evidenced by the many thousands who have put their name to it.

The law can often take time to reflect the changing attitudes of society, but slowly we have abolished the legal discriminations against same-sex people. From being the first state in the nation to decriminalise homosexuality in 1972 to the broader protections against discrimination on the basis of sexuality under the Equal Opportunity Act 1984, we have moved towards equality. The process of reform takes time, but it is not something that this government has shied away from. In 2003, shortly after this government was formed, we made amendments to more than 50 pieces of legislation in relation to equal rights for same-sex couples.

The Governor's speech at the opening of parliament earlier this year contained a commitment from this government to remove from our statute book every remnant of discrimination against people on the basis of their sexuality or gender. The Adoption Act is one of the last standing pieces of legislation that enshrines discrimination against same-sex people in this state. Last year, the former minister for education and child development announced a review into the laws that govern adoption here in South Australia.

This review is currently underway and open for submissions until the 30th of this month. I am pleased to advise the house that the Douglas-Galley family have also submitted this petition to the review committee, and it will be rightly considered as part of this process. The review process is, of course, the place for the implications of any changes of law to be considered; however, it will not surprise anyone in this house that as the member for Port Adelaide I have a deep commitment to equality and believe that all South Australians should be treated equally no matter their race, gender, political persuasion, or, as in this case, sexuality.

In 2015 I firmly believe that it is unacceptable that there are still barriers to equality. Laws such as this one are being changed around the country and around the world. New South Wales, Tasmania, the ACT and WA all have equal adoption laws, and Victoria is also currently reviewing its legislation and, last month, Ireland passed laws allowing adoption equality. I believe that it is time for equality here in South Australia.

Mr GARDNER: Deputy Speaker, I draw your attention to the state of the house.

A quorum having been formed:

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