6th October, 2015
The Australian Christian Lobby has flagged concerns that a bill before the Victorian Parliament which would legalise same-sex adoptions does not include any protections for religious organisations.
Dan Flynn, the ACL’s Victorian director, said while the NSW Government had ensured religious freedom was protected under its same sex adoption laws – allowing faith-base organisations to continue to operate, this was not the case with the bill currently before the Victorian Parliament.
"It would be a shame if Victorian religious adoption agencies who wished to carry out adoptions in line with their ethos and in line with the wishes of relinquishing parents were forced to close," he said.
Mr Flynn said that the decision would see the Andrews’ Government "trampling freedom of religion". "This is a very intolerant political agenda which demands everyone else in society conforms with its view of the world."
Mr Flynn said that religious adoption agencies in both the US and Ireland had been forced to close following same-sex law reforms.
Fairfax Media has reported that of the four organisations which facilitate adoptions in Victoria, three of them are faith-based.
– DAVID ADAMS
