Adoption and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2016

As Minister for Communities, Women and Youth, moved the second reading of the bill to remove the last discriminatory barrier preventing LGBTI Queenslanders from adopting, expand eligibility to single persons and persons undergoing fertility treatment, and improve access to adoption information.

“I am so proud that the Palaszczuk government with this debate today is moving to overturn discriminatory laws to make it legal for same-sex couples to adopt children in Queensland.”— 2016-11-02View Hansard

As shadow minister for child safety, supported the second reading but indicated the opposition would divide on clauses expanding eligibility to same-sex couples and single people, arguing there is no demand for adoption in Queensland to justify the expansion.

“Whilst supporting the passing of the bill through the second reading, the opposition will divide on specific clauses that seek to expand the eligibility criteria for adoption to single people and same-sex couples.”— 2016-11-02View Hansard

Supported the bill on behalf of the committee, noting that research from Australian law reform commissions and the Australian Institute of Family Studies shows children in same-sex families are healthy and well adjusted.

“Arguments such as those received by the committee that single-parent families lack a relationship model and complementary parent dynamic or the necessary family stability and security to provide an ideal environment for an adoptive child are incorrect.”— 2016-11-02View Hansard

As Minister for Environment, strongly supported the bill, recounting the story of a same-sex couple raising a foster child who could not be adopted under existing law.

“For children, that is so important. They do not care if their parents are gay; they care whether their parents love them.”— 2016-11-02View Hansard

Expressed disappointment that the government has not demonstrated the need to expand eligible adoptive parents given low numbers of children needing adoption, and complained of rushed consultation.

“It is disappointing that the government has not demonstrated the need to expand or grow the number of eligible adoptive children based on the very limited numbers of children needing adoption each year in Queensland.”— 2016-11-02View Hansard

As Minister for Housing and Public Works, supported the bill as part of Labor's reforms to remove discrimination against LGBTI people from Queensland law.

“There should be no roadblock to gay couples adopting children, just like any other couple. What counts—and this is always the important thing—is the love that parents give to their kids.”— 2016-11-02View Hansard

Supported the bill, arguing that as a modern society we should allow same-sex couples and single parents to adopt, as the core of raising a child is providing a loving, caring and nurturing environment.

“These amendments go to same-sex couples and single parents, and I say why not? As a modern society, we should, as I said in the committee process, just get on with it.”— 2016-11-02View Hansard

Supported the bill as another strike against discrimination, reinforcing the Palaszczuk government's message that everyone is considered equal in Queensland.

“This bill is another strike against discrimination in our state ... we are saying with this bill that members of the LGBTI community are equal, that they do have the same rights as anyone else to adopt a child, and it is about time.”— 2016-11-02View Hansard

Supported the bill, drawing on personal experience of adopted cousins from Colombia raised by her aunt and uncle, and emphasising that family is defined by love rather than blood.

“The happiness of family is not dependent on the gender mix of the family. A happy family is not about a man and a woman; a family is about love and safety.”— 2016-11-02View Hansard

Raised concerns about the rushed consultation and committee reporting process and the lack of demonstrated need to expand eligible adoptive parents.

“There has been no demonstration for the need to expand or grow the number of eligible adoptive parents based on the limited number of children needing adoption in Queensland each year.”— 2016-11-02View Hansard

Supported the bill, arguing the evidence suggests a family's overall functionality is much more important than its form and drawing on his personal experience of same-sex families in his community.

“The evidence suggests that, when it comes to ensuring the interests of a child are well met, a family's overall functionality is much more important than its form.”— 2016-11-02View Hansard

As Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations and the mother of an adopted daughter, strongly supported the bill as being about basic human rights and equality.

“This is about equality. This is about human rights. This is not about whether there are enough children to go around ... This is about basic human rights—equality out there for everybody.”— 2016-11-02View Hansard