Page 3309 - Week 12 - Thursday, 19 November 1992

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THE BILL RECOGNIZES THAT BIRTH PARENTS MAY HOLD BELIEFS AND VALUES WHICH INFLUENCE THE WISHES THEY HAVE FOR THE FUTURE UPBRINGING OF THE RELINQUISHED CHILD. SUCH WISHES NEED TO BE RESPECTED AND TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT. THE LEGISLATION THEREFORE PROVIDES FOR THE COURT WHEN MAKING AN ADOPTION ORDER TO CONSIDER THE WISHES OF THE BIRTH PARENTS REGARDING THE RACE OR ETHNIC BACKGROUND OF ADOPTIVE PARENTS, THE RELIGIOUS UPBRINGING OF THE CHILD OR WHETHER A SINGLE PERSON MAY ADOPT THE CHILD.

THE PRESENTATION OF THIS BILL TODAY HAS BEEN A CULMINATION OF MUCH RESEARCH INTO THE TRENDS OF MODERN ADOPTION LEGISLATION AND THINKING AND MUCH CONSULTATION WITH THE COMMUNITY OVER A PERIOD OF YEARS SINCE THE REVIEWS OF EXISTING LEGISLATION BY THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION IN 1986.

IT IS MY FIRM CONVICTION THAT THIS EFFORT HAS RESULTED IN LEGISLATION WHICH REFLECTS SOUND PRINCIPLES, ESTABLISHES FAIR AND JUST ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGAL PROCEDURES, AND UPHOLDS THE INSTITUTION OF ADOPTION AS AN INSTITUTION ABLE TO FULFIL AN ESSENTIAL ROLE IN THE LIFE OF THIS COMMUNITY.

MADAM SPEAKER, IT IS THE GOVERNMENTS VIEW THAT THIS LEGISLATION IS WORTHY OF THE SUPPORT OF ALL MEMBERS AND I COMMEND IT FOR THEIR CONSIDERATION.

I NOW PRESENT THE EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM FOR THIS BILL.

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