• Thousands petition: No to Qld surrogacy(24/11/09)

    Date: 2010.02.02 | Category: Uncategorized | Tags:

    SEE PETITION HERE


    MEDIA RELEASEFor release: November 24, 2009

    2,000 petition parliament: Christians oppose radicalsame-sex surrogacy moves in Queensland More than 2,000 Christians have petitioned the Queensland Parliament not to proceed with radical surrogacy legislation proposed by the Queensland Government which would permit two men or two women or a single person to acquire a baby.

    Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) Queensland Director Peter Earle organised the petition signed by 2034 people which was tabled in parliament this morning by Independent Maryborough MP Chris Foley.

    Mr Earle said the petition was just another indication of the deep concern in the Queensland community about the proposed surrogacy legislation which, if passed, would undermine the natural structure of families in the State.

    “If surrogacy for same-sex couples and single people was legalised in Queensland it would deny children the right to begin life with a mum AND dad – defying the natural order and mainstream community values,” Mr Earle said.

    “If the Government is determined to proceed with surrogacy legislation then at the very least it needs to ensure that the issue of surrogacy for same-sex couples and single people is considered separately from heterosexual surrogacy and that Labor MPs are given a true conscience vote on both issues.

    “It would be deplorable for such contentious social engineering legislation to be pushed through Parliament without proper consideration. We do not support surrogacy at all, and believe Governments should be concerned about the relational and legal consequences of surrogacy even where married heterosexual couples are involved. However, we recognise that in this situation children have the benefit of the love and role models of both a mother and a father, and there is broad community support for it,” he said.

    “Surrogacy for same-sex couples and single people is a far different issue, and clearly puts the desires of adults to have a child way above the best interests of the child.”

    The petition tabled in Parliament this morning says: “Queensland residents draw to the attention of the House the fact that the practice of altruistic surrogacy brings into conflict the rights of adults and children. Surrogacy is a complicated process for adults and especially for children. It entails a range of ethical concerns, including disruption of relationship links between marriage, conception, gestation, birth and motherhood, which are important human identity factors.

    Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to not allow children to be created through artificial reproductive technology and placed in relational constructs thatdeliberately deny them their biological bonds and the love, care and role modelling of both a mother and a father.”