At a glance

• Qld govt to decriminalise surrogacy, including for same sex couples
• Kids’ right to a mum AND dad under threat
• Please visit or ring your local MP

 

Dear ACL Supporter

As you may be aware, one of the first items on the agenda for the Queensland Parliament when it resumes on February 9 is a bill to decriminalise surrogacy.

While ACL sympathises with the heartfelt pain of couples who are unable to conceive children, we have concerns with the notion of surrogacy because of the difficult issues this causes many children. Several adults can end up with a biological or emotional stake in the child.

While it is probably not possible to stop the decriminalisation of altruistic surrogacy for heterosexual couples, the Government’s determination to allow surrogacy for homosexual couples will breach the fundamental right of every child to at least begin life with a mother AND father.

It is important that Members of the Queensland Parliament are aware of the community concern about this radical social experimentation. Just as we are taking a precautionary approach to issues like climate change, how much more should we be cautious when formulating public policy that affects children?

Where the desires of adults conflict with the rights of the child, the rights of the child must come first.

I would like to encourage you if possible to make an appointment to visit your local State Member of Parliament or at least phone his or her office to register your concern. You can find contact details for your local member here.

Please tell them:

• This proposal is not in the best interests of the child
• It is social experimentation
• If the Parliament is to decriminalise surrogacy, the current bill should be split so that MPs can vote separately on the issue of depriving children of a mother or father

Splitting the bill is a compromise but sadly one that may be necessary in order to protect the right of a child to a mother AND a father.

You can also e-mail your MP through our Make a Stand website however in this instance a visit or a phone call would be most effective, given the gravity and urgency of the issue.

Thank you in anticipation of your action on behalf of children.

God bless

Jim Wallace AM
Managing Director