❓ A parliamentary question on notice regarding the Attorney General's proposal to allow gay and lesbian couples to adopt children in Western Australia. The Attorney General defends the proposal based on equality and non-discrimination, citing a long history of Labor Party support for LGBTQ+ rights.
AnsweredQoN 642Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
ADOPTION RIGHTS FOR GAY AND LESBIAN COUPLES
I refer to the Attorney General’s proposal to allow gay and lesbian couples to adopt children in this State and ask - (1) Given that the Attorney General has constantly emphasised throughout this debate the importance of bringing Western Australia into line with the other Australian States, can he confirm that no other Australian State permits gay and lesbian couples to adopt children? (2) Given that the Premier conceded, in answer to a question on notice in the other place yesterday, that at no time did the Labor Party specifically set out its policy on gay adoption, will the Attorney General now admit that he does not have a mandate to implement this reform? Mr McGINTY
I refer to the Attorney General’s proposal to allow gay and lesbian couples to adopt children in this State and ask - (1) Given that the Attorney General has constantly emphasised throughout this debate the importance of bringing Western Australia into line with the other Australian States, can he confirm that no other Australian State permits gay and lesbian couples to adopt children? (2) Given that the Premier conceded, in answer to a question on notice in the other place yesterday, that at no time did the Labor Party specifically set out its policy on gay adoption, will the Attorney General now admit that he does not have a mandate to implement this reform? Mr McGINTY
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(2) The question of mandate is very simple. From 1972 onwards, Labor members of this Parliament brought before the Parliament legislation to deal with the rights of gay and lesbian people in this State. On each occasion members opposite, or their predecessors - the conservative side of politics - defeated those proposals. The only occasion on which the Labor Party had any success on this issue was in the time of Hon Bob Hetherington and Hon Grace Vaughan. Both were very enlightened people who, during the course of the 1970s introduced legislation to deal with the rights of gay and lesbian people. In 1989, the then Labor Government introduced legislation which succeeded, notwithstanding all sorts of outrage and cries from members opposite, in making sure that what gay men over the age of 21 did in their bedrooms was their own business, and was no longer accompanied by a criminal sanction. The outcry on that occasion from the conservative side of politics, was far greater than the outcry on this occasion. The Opposition is too conservative, and cannot bring itself to treat everyone as equal, or to make social changes that are necessary to reflect that equality. The Government’s mandate goes back 30 years. Now legislation has been introduced to do two things. It will ensure that every citizen in this State is equal before the law, regardless of their sexual orientation, and it will end many decades of discrimination against gay and lesbian people in every walk of life. I am extremely proud to be the person who has brought quality-based, non-discriminatory legislation before this Parliament. The Leader of the Opposition asked what the situation is in the other States. This legislation has been introduced on the basis of equality, and not discriminating against people. The Government has occasionally called in aid what has happened in other States and in other countries. This legislation, by and large, like most of the rest of the social legislation of this Labor Government, does nothing more than to bring this State into line with what is occurring in the other States. I recall the squeals that came from members opposite when the Government said that every citizen in this country should have an equal say in electing the Government. Shock, horror! It was the decline of western civilisation as we know it! It is the end of the world! The sun will not rise tomorrow! Those were the cries that came from the Opposition as a result of a very simple proposition based on equality. That is the principle the Government brought before this House, not the principle that has been spoken about. Some places have a purer form of electoral equality than that which the Government is proposing, and some have not gone as far, but the principle is equality and non-discrimination. Mr Johnson: Which other States have allowed adoption? Mr McGINTY: I will paint the whole picture for the member. I have never said that the adoption provisions exist in each of the other States. The Opposition should not set up a straw man and then attempt to knock him down, by accusing me of saying things that have never been put forward as part of the Government’s intention. Mr Barnett: It is not part of your policy either, is it? Mr McGINTY: If the Leader of the Opposition read the Labor Party policy, he would find it contains a series of commitments on these issues, in writing, that came out of the Labor Party conference before the election. These issues are referred to in the policy. The Government is working on equality and non-discrimination, as in the case of the right to in-vitro fertilisation, which the Opposition is squealing about. It already exists in most of the other States. The IVF provisions in this State are unlawful and invalid, which is one of the reasons the Government is introducing legislation on IVF. The Government has never said that each of the other States has provisions in relation to adoption, such as those under discussion. The Government is standing on the principle of equality and non-discrimination, which is the thread that runs through every element of this legislation.
(1) Given that the Attorney General has constantly emphasised throughout this debate the importance of bringing Western Australia into line with the other Australian States, can he confirm that no other Australian State permits gay and lesbian couples to adopt children? (2) Given that the Premier conceded, in answer to a question on notice in the other place yesterday, that at no time did the Labor Party specifically set out its policy on gay adoption, will the Attorney General now admit that he does not have a mandate to implement this reform? Mr McGINTY replied: (1)-(2) The question of mandate is very simple. From 1972 onwards, Labor members of this Parliament brought before the Parliament legislation to deal with the rights of gay and lesbian people in this State. On each occasion members opposite, or their predecessors - the conservative side of politics - defeated those proposals. The only occasion on which the Labor Party had any success on this issue was in the time of Hon Bob Hetherington and Hon Grace Vaughan. Both were very enlightened people who, during the course of the 1970s introduced legislation to deal with the rights of gay and lesbian people. In 1989, the then Labor Government introduced legislation which succeeded, notwithstanding all sorts of outrage and cries from members opposite, in making sure that what gay men over the age of 21 did in their bedrooms was their own business, and was no longer accompanied by a criminal sanction. The outcry on that occasion from the conservative side of politics, was far greater than the outcry on this occasion. The Opposition is too conservative, and cannot bring itself to treat everyone as equal, or to make social changes that are necessary to reflect that equality. The Government’s mandate goes back 30 years. Now legislation has been introduced to do two things. It will ensure that every citizen in this State is equal before the law, regardless of their sexual orientation, and it will end many decades of discrimination against gay and lesbian people in every walk of life. I am extremely proud to be the person who has brought quality-based, non-discriminatory legislation before this Parliament. The Leader of the Opposition asked what the situation is in the other States. This legislation has been introduced on the basis of equality, and not discriminating against people. The Government has occasionally called in aid what has happened in other States and in other countries. This legislation, by and large, like most of the rest of the social legislation of this Labor Government, does nothing more than to bring this State into line with what is occurring in the other States. I recall the squeals that came from members opposite when the Government said that every citizen in this country should have an equal say in electing the Government. Shock, horror! It was the decline of western civilisation as we know it! It is the end of the world! The sun will not rise tomorrow! Those were the cries that came from the Opposition as a result of a very simple proposition based on equality. That is the principle the Government brought before this House, not the principle that has been spoken about. Some places have a purer form of electoral equality than that which the Government is proposing, and some have not gone as far, but the principle is equality and non-discrimination. Mr Johnson: Which other States have allowed adoption? Mr McGINTY: I will paint the whole picture for the member. I have never said that the adoption provisions exist in each of the other States. The Opposition should not set up a straw man and then attempt to knock him down, by accusing me of saying things that have never been put forward as part of the Government’s intention. Mr Barnett: It is not part of your policy either, is it? Mr McGINTY: If the Leader of the Opposition read the Labor Party policy, he would find it contains a series of commitments on these issues, in writing, that came out of the Labor Party conference before the election. These issues are referred to in the policy. The Government is working on equality and non-discrimination, as in the case of the right to in-vitro fertilisation, which the Opposition is squealing about. It already exists in most of the other States. The IVF provisions in this State are unlawful and invalid, which is one of the reasons the Government is introducing legislation on IVF. The Government has never said that each of the other States has provisions in relation to adoption, such as those under discussion. The Government is standing on the principle of equality and non-discrimination, which is the thread that runs through every element of this legislation.
(2) Given that the Premier conceded, in answer to a question on notice in the other place yesterday, that at no time did the Labor Party specifically set out its policy on gay adoption, will the Attorney General now admit that he does not have a mandate to implement this reform? Mr McGINTY replied: (1)-(2) The question of mandate is very simple. From 1972 onwards, Labor members of this Parliament brought before the Parliament legislation to deal with the rights of gay and lesbian people in this State. On each occasion members opposite, or their predecessors - the conservative side of politics - defeated those proposals. The only occasion on which the Labor Party had any success on this issue was in the time of Hon Bob Hetherington and Hon Grace Vaughan. Both were very enlightened people who, during the course of the 1970s introduced legislation to deal with the rights of gay and lesbian people. In 1989, the then Labor Government introduced legislation which succeeded, notwithstanding all sorts of outrage and cries from members opposite, in making sure that what gay men over the age of 21 did in their bedrooms was their own business, and was no longer accompanied by a criminal sanction. The outcry on that occasion from the conservative side of politics, was far greater than the outcry on this occasion. The Opposition is too conservative, and cannot bring itself to treat everyone as equal, or to make social changes that are necessary to reflect that equality. The Government’s mandate goes back 30 years. Now legislation has been introduced to do two things. It will ensure that every citizen in this State is equal before the law, regardless of their sexual orientation, and it will end many decades of discrimination against gay and lesbian people in every walk of life. I am extremely proud to be the person who has brought quality-based, non-discriminatory legislation before this Parliament. The Leader of the Opposition asked what the situation is in the other States. This legislation has been introduced on the basis of equality, and not discriminating against people. The Government has occasionally called in aid what has happened in other States and in other countries. This legislation, by and large, like most of the rest of the social legislation of this Labor Government, does nothing more than to bring this State into line with what is occurring in the other States. I recall the squeals that came from members opposite when the Government said that every citizen in this country should have an equal say in electing the Government. Shock, horror! It was the decline of western civilisation as we know it! It is the end of the world! The sun will not rise tomorrow! Those were the cries that came from the Opposition as a result of a very simple proposition based on equality. That is the principle the Government brought before this House, not the principle that has been spoken about. Some places have a purer form of electoral equality than that which the Government is proposing, and some have not gone as far, but the principle is equality and non-discrimination. Mr Johnson: Which other States have allowed adoption? Mr McGINTY: I will paint the whole picture for the member. I have never said that the adoption provisions exist in each of the other States. The Opposition should not set up a straw man and then attempt to knock him down, by accusing me of saying things that have never been put forward as part of the Government’s intention. Mr Barnett: It is not part of your policy either, is it? Mr McGINTY: If the Leader of the Opposition read the Labor Party policy, he would find it contains a series of commitments on these issues, in writing, that came out of the Labor Party conference before the election. These issues are referred to in the policy. The Government is working on equality and non-discrimination, as in the case of the right to in-vitro fertilisation, which the Opposition is squealing about. It already exists in most of the other States. The IVF provisions in this State are unlawful and invalid, which is one of the reasons the Government is introducing legislation on IVF. The Government has never said that each of the other States has provisions in relation to adoption, such as those under discussion. The Government is standing on the principle of equality and non-discrimination, which is the thread that runs through every element of this legislation.
Mr McGINTY replied: (1)-(2) The question of mandate is very simple. From 1972 onwards, Labor members of this Parliament brought before the Parliament legislation to deal with the rights of gay and lesbian people in this State. On each occasion members opposite, or their predecessors - the conservative side of politics - defeated those proposals. The only occasion on which the Labor Party had any success on this issue was in the time of Hon Bob Hetherington and Hon Grace Vaughan. Both were very enlightened people who, during the course of the 1970s introduced legislation to deal with the rights of gay and lesbian people. In 1989, the then Labor Government introduced legislation which succeeded, notwithstanding all sorts of outrage and cries from members opposite, in making sure that what gay men over the age of 21 did in their bedrooms was their own business, and was no longer accompanied by a criminal sanction. The outcry on that occasion from the conservative side of politics, was far greater than the outcry on this occasion. The Opposition is too conservative, and cannot bring itself to treat everyone as equal, or to make social changes that are necessary to reflect that equality. The Government’s mandate goes back 30 years. Now legislation has been introduced to do two things. It will ensure that every citizen in this State is equal before the law, regardless of their sexual orientation, and it will end many decades of discrimination against gay and lesbian people in every walk of life. I am extremely proud to be the person who has brought quality-based, non-discriminatory legislation before this Parliament. The Leader of the Opposition asked what the situation is in the other States. This legislation has been introduced on the basis of equality, and not discriminating against people. The Government has occasionally called in aid what has happened in other States and in other countries. This legislation, by and large, like most of the rest of the social legislation of this Labor Government, does nothing more than to bring this State into line with what is occurring in the other States. I recall the squeals that came from members opposite when the Government said that every citizen in this country should have an equal say in electing the Government. Shock, horror! It was the decline of western civilisation as we know it! It is the end of the world! The sun will not rise tomorrow! Those were the cries that came from the Opposition as a result of a very simple proposition based on equality. That is the principle the Government brought before this House, not the principle that has been spoken about. Some places have a purer form of electoral equality than that which the Government is proposing, and some have not gone as far, but the principle is equality and non-discrimination. Mr Johnson: Which other States have allowed adoption? Mr McGINTY: I will paint the whole picture for the member. I have never said that the adoption provisions exist in each of the other States. The Opposition should not set up a straw man and then attempt to knock him down, by accusing me of saying things that have never been put forward as part of the Government’s intention. Mr Barnett: It is not part of your policy either, is it? Mr McGINTY: If the Leader of the Opposition read the Labor Party policy, he would find it contains a series of commitments on these issues, in writing, that came out of the Labor Party conference before the election. These issues are referred to in the policy. The Government is working on equality and non-discrimination, as in the case of the right to in-vitro fertilisation, which the Opposition is squealing about. It already exists in most of the other States. The IVF provisions in this State are unlawful and invalid, which is one of the reasons the Government is introducing legislation on IVF. The Government has never said that each of the other States has provisions in relation to adoption, such as those under discussion. The Government is standing on the principle of equality and non-discrimination, which is the thread that runs through every element of this legislation.
(1)-(2) The question of mandate is very simple. From 1972 onwards, Labor members of this Parliament brought before the Parliament legislation to deal with the rights of gay and lesbian people in this State. On each occasion members opposite, or their predecessors - the conservative side of politics - defeated those proposals. The only occasion on which the Labor Party had any success on this issue was in the time of Hon Bob Hetherington and Hon Grace Vaughan. Both were very enlightened people who, during the course of the 1970s introduced legislation to deal with the rights of gay and lesbian people. In 1989, the then Labor Government introduced legislation which succeeded, notwithstanding all sorts of outrage and cries from members opposite, in making sure that what gay men over the age of 21 did in their bedrooms was their own business, and was no longer accompanied by a criminal sanction. The outcry on that occasion from the conservative side of politics, was far greater than the outcry on this occasion. The Opposition is too conservative, and cannot bring itself to treat everyone as equal, or to make social changes that are necessary to reflect that equality. The Government’s mandate goes back 30 years. Now legislation has been introduced to do two things. It will ensure that every citizen in this State is equal before the law, regardless of their sexual orientation, and it will end many decades of discrimination against gay and lesbian people in every walk of life. I am extremely proud to be the person who has brought quality-based, non-discriminatory legislation before this Parliament. The Leader of the Opposition asked what the situation is in the other States. This legislation has been introduced on the basis of equality, and not discriminating against people. The Government has occasionally called in aid what has happened in other States and in other countries. This legislation, by and large, like most of the rest of the social legislation of this Labor Government, does nothing more than to bring this State into line with what is occurring in the other States. I recall the squeals that came from members opposite when the Government said that every citizen in this country should have an equal say in electing the Government. Shock, horror! It was the decline of western civilisation as we know it! It is the end of the world! The sun will not rise tomorrow! Those were the cries that came from the Opposition as a result of a very simple proposition based on equality. That is the principle the Government brought before this House, not the principle that has been spoken about. Some places have a purer form of electoral equality than that which the Government is proposing, and some have not gone as far, but the principle is equality and non-discrimination. Mr Johnson: Which other States have allowed adoption? Mr McGINTY: I will paint the whole picture for the member. I have never said that the adoption provisions exist in each of the other States. The Opposition should not set up a straw man and then attempt to knock him down, by accusing me of saying things that have never been put forward as part of the Government’s intention. Mr Barnett: It is not part of your policy either, is it? Mr McGINTY: If the Leader of the Opposition read the Labor Party policy, he would find it contains a series of commitments on these issues, in writing, that came out of the Labor Party conference before the election. These issues are referred to in the policy. The Government is working on equality and non-discrimination, as in the case of the right to in-vitro fertilisation, which the Opposition is squealing about. It already exists in most of the other States. The IVF provisions in this State are unlawful and invalid, which is one of the reasons the Government is introducing legislation on IVF. The Government has never said that each of the other States has provisions in relation to adoption, such as those under discussion. The Government is standing on the principle of equality and non-discrimination, which is the thread that runs through every element of this legislation.
The Leader of the Opposition asked what the situation is in the other States. This legislation has been introduced on the basis of equality, and not discriminating against people. The Government has occasionally called in aid what has happened in other States and in other countries. This legislation, by and large, like most of the rest of the social legislation of this Labor Government, does nothing more than to bring this State into line with what is occurring in the other States. I recall the squeals that came from members opposite when the Government said that every citizen in this country should have an equal say in electing the Government. Shock, horror! It was the decline of western civilisation as we know it! It is the end of the world! The sun will not rise tomorrow! Those were the cries that came from the Opposition as a result of a very simple proposition based on equality. That is the principle the Government brought before this House, not the principle that has been spoken about. Some places have a purer form of electoral equality than that which the Government is proposing, and some have not gone as far, but the principle is equality and non-discrimination.
Mr McGINTY: I will paint the whole picture for the member. I have never said that the adoption provisions exist in each of the other States. The Opposition should not set up a straw man and then attempt to knock him down, by accusing me of saying things that have never been put forward as part of the Government’s intention. Mr Barnett: It is not part of your policy either, is it? Mr McGINTY: If the Leader of the Opposition read the Labor Party policy, he would find it contains a series of commitments on these issues, in writing, that came out of the Labor Party conference before the election. These issues are referred to in the policy. The Government is working on equality and non-discrimination, as in the case of the right to in-vitro fertilisation, which the Opposition is squealing about. It already exists in most of the other States. The IVF provisions in this State are unlawful and invalid, which is one of the reasons the Government is introducing legislation on IVF. The Government has never said that each of the other States has provisions in relation to adoption, such as those under discussion. The Government is standing on the principle of equality and non-discrimination, which is the thread that runs through every element of this legislation.
Mr Barnett: It is not part of your policy either, is it? Mr McGINTY: If the Leader of the Opposition read the Labor Party policy, he would find it contains a series of commitments on these issues, in writing, that came out of the Labor Party conference before the election. These issues are referred to in the policy. The Government is working on equality and non-discrimination, as in the case of the right to in-vitro fertilisation, which the Opposition is squealing about. It already exists in most of the other States. The IVF provisions in this State are unlawful and invalid, which is one of the reasons the Government is introducing legislation on IVF. The Government has never said that each of the other States has provisions in relation to adoption, such as those under discussion. The Government is standing on the principle of equality and non-discrimination, which is the thread that runs through every element of this legislation.
Mr McGINTY: If the Leader of the Opposition read the Labor Party policy, he would find it contains a series of commitments on these issues, in writing, that came out of the Labor Party conference before the election. These issues are referred to in the policy. The Government is working on equality and non-discrimination, as in the case of the right to in-vitro fertilisation, which the Opposition is squealing about. It already exists in most of the other States. The IVF provisions in this State are unlawful and invalid, which is one of the reasons the Government is introducing legislation on IVF. The Government has never said that each of the other States has provisions in relation to adoption, such as those under discussion. The Government is standing on the principle of equality and non-discrimination, which is the thread that runs through every element of this legislation.
(1) Given that the Attorney General has constantly emphasised throughout this debate the importance of bringing Western Australia into line with the other Australian States, can he confirm that no other Australian State permits gay and lesbian couples to adopt children? (2) Given that the Premier conceded, in answer to a question on notice in the other place yesterday, that at no time did the Labor Party specifically set out its policy on gay adoption, will the Attorney General now admit that he does not have a mandate to implement this reform? Mr McGINTY replied: (1)-(2) The question of mandate is very simple. From 1972 onwards, Labor members of this Parliament brought before the Parliament legislation to deal with the rights of gay and lesbian people in this State. On each occasion members opposite, or their predecessors - the conservative side of politics - defeated those proposals. The only occasion on which the Labor Party had any success on this issue was in the time of Hon Bob Hetherington and Hon Grace Vaughan. Both were very enlightened people who, during the course of the 1970s introduced legislation to deal with the rights of gay and lesbian people. In 1989, the then Labor Government introduced legislation which succeeded, notwithstanding all sorts of outrage and cries from members opposite, in making sure that what gay men over the age of 21 did in their bedrooms was their own business, and was no longer accompanied by a criminal sanction. The outcry on that occasion from the conservative side of politics, was far greater than the outcry on this occasion. The Opposition is too conservative, and cannot bring itself to treat everyone as equal, or to make social changes that are necessary to reflect that equality. The Government’s mandate goes back 30 years. Now legislation has been introduced to do two things. It will ensure that every citizen in this State is equal before the law, regardless of their sexual orientation, and it will end many decades of discrimination against gay and lesbian people in every walk of life. I am extremely proud to be the person who has brought quality-based, non-discriminatory legislation before this Parliament. The Leader of the Opposition asked what the situation is in the other States. This legislation has been introduced on the basis of equality, and not discriminating against people. The Government has occasionally called in aid what has happened in other States and in other countries. This legislation, by and large, like most of the rest of the social legislation of this Labor Government, does nothing more than to bring this State into line with what is occurring in the other States. I recall the squeals that came from members opposite when the Government said that every citizen in this country should have an equal say in electing the Government. Shock, horror! It was the decline of western civilisation as we know it! It is the end of the world! The sun will not rise tomorrow! Those were the cries that came from the Opposition as a result of a very simple proposition based on equality. That is the principle the Government brought before this House, not the principle that has been spoken about. Some places have a purer form of electoral equality than that which the Government is proposing, and some have not gone as far, but the principle is equality and non-discrimination. Mr Johnson: Which other States have allowed adoption? Mr McGINTY: I will paint the whole picture for the member. I have never said that the adoption provisions exist in each of the other States. The Opposition should not set up a straw man and then attempt to knock him down, by accusing me of saying things that have never been put forward as part of the Government’s intention. Mr Barnett: It is not part of your policy either, is it? Mr McGINTY: If the Leader of the Opposition read the Labor Party policy, he would find it contains a series of commitments on these issues, in writing, that came out of the Labor Party conference before the election. These issues are referred to in the policy. The Government is working on equality and non-discrimination, as in the case of the right to in-vitro fertilisation, which the Opposition is squealing about. It already exists in most of the other States. The IVF provisions in this State are unlawful and invalid, which is one of the reasons the Government is introducing legislation on IVF. The Government has never said that each of the other States has provisions in relation to adoption, such as those under discussion. The Government is standing on the principle of equality and non-discrimination, which is the thread that runs through every element of this legislation.
(2) Given that the Premier conceded, in answer to a question on notice in the other place yesterday, that at no time did the Labor Party specifically set out its policy on gay adoption, will the Attorney General now admit that he does not have a mandate to implement this reform? Mr McGINTY replied: (1)-(2) The question of mandate is very simple. From 1972 onwards, Labor members of this Parliament brought before the Parliament legislation to deal with the rights of gay and lesbian people in this State. On each occasion members opposite, or their predecessors - the conservative side of politics - defeated those proposals. The only occasion on which the Labor Party had any success on this issue was in the time of Hon Bob Hetherington and Hon Grace Vaughan. Both were very enlightened people who, during the course of the 1970s introduced legislation to deal with the rights of gay and lesbian people. In 1989, the then Labor Government introduced legislation which succeeded, notwithstanding all sorts of outrage and cries from members opposite, in making sure that what gay men over the age of 21 did in their bedrooms was their own business, and was no longer accompanied by a criminal sanction. The outcry on that occasion from the conservative side of politics, was far greater than the outcry on this occasion. The Opposition is too conservative, and cannot bring itself to treat everyone as equal, or to make social changes that are necessary to reflect that equality. The Government’s mandate goes back 30 years. Now legislation has been introduced to do two things. It will ensure that every citizen in this State is equal before the law, regardless of their sexual orientation, and it will end many decades of discrimination against gay and lesbian people in every walk of life. I am extremely proud to be the person who has brought quality-based, non-discriminatory legislation before this Parliament. The Leader of the Opposition asked what the situation is in the other States. This legislation has been introduced on the basis of equality, and not discriminating against people. The Government has occasionally called in aid what has happened in other States and in other countries. This legislation, by and large, like most of the rest of the social legislation of this Labor Government, does nothing more than to bring this State into line with what is occurring in the other States. I recall the squeals that came from members opposite when the Government said that every citizen in this country should have an equal say in electing the Government. Shock, horror! It was the decline of western civilisation as we know it! It is the end of the world! The sun will not rise tomorrow! Those were the cries that came from the Opposition as a result of a very simple proposition based on equality. That is the principle the Government brought before this House, not the principle that has been spoken about. Some places have a purer form of electoral equality than that which the Government is proposing, and some have not gone as far, but the principle is equality and non-discrimination. Mr Johnson: Which other States have allowed adoption? Mr McGINTY: I will paint the whole picture for the member. I have never said that the adoption provisions exist in each of the other States. The Opposition should not set up a straw man and then attempt to knock him down, by accusing me of saying things that have never been put forward as part of the Government’s intention. Mr Barnett: It is not part of your policy either, is it? Mr McGINTY: If the Leader of the Opposition read the Labor Party policy, he would find it contains a series of commitments on these issues, in writing, that came out of the Labor Party conference before the election. These issues are referred to in the policy. The Government is working on equality and non-discrimination, as in the case of the right to in-vitro fertilisation, which the Opposition is squealing about. It already exists in most of the other States. The IVF provisions in this State are unlawful and invalid, which is one of the reasons the Government is introducing legislation on IVF. The Government has never said that each of the other States has provisions in relation to adoption, such as those under discussion. The Government is standing on the principle of equality and non-discrimination, which is the thread that runs through every element of this legislation.
Mr McGINTY replied: (1)-(2) The question of mandate is very simple. From 1972 onwards, Labor members of this Parliament brought before the Parliament legislation to deal with the rights of gay and lesbian people in this State. On each occasion members opposite, or their predecessors - the conservative side of politics - defeated those proposals. The only occasion on which the Labor Party had any success on this issue was in the time of Hon Bob Hetherington and Hon Grace Vaughan. Both were very enlightened people who, during the course of the 1970s introduced legislation to deal with the rights of gay and lesbian people. In 1989, the then Labor Government introduced legislation which succeeded, notwithstanding all sorts of outrage and cries from members opposite, in making sure that what gay men over the age of 21 did in their bedrooms was their own business, and was no longer accompanied by a criminal sanction. The outcry on that occasion from the conservative side of politics, was far greater than the outcry on this occasion. The Opposition is too conservative, and cannot bring itself to treat everyone as equal, or to make social changes that are necessary to reflect that equality. The Government’s mandate goes back 30 years. Now legislation has been introduced to do two things. It will ensure that every citizen in this State is equal before the law, regardless of their sexual orientation, and it will end many decades of discrimination against gay and lesbian people in every walk of life. I am extremely proud to be the person who has brought quality-based, non-discriminatory legislation before this Parliament. The Leader of the Opposition asked what the situation is in the other States. This legislation has been introduced on the basis of equality, and not discriminating against people. The Government has occasionally called in aid what has happened in other States and in other countries. This legislation, by and large, like most of the rest of the social legislation of this Labor Government, does nothing more than to bring this State into line with what is occurring in the other States. I recall the squeals that came from members opposite when the Government said that every citizen in this country should have an equal say in electing the Government. Shock, horror! It was the decline of western civilisation as we know it! It is the end of the world! The sun will not rise tomorrow! Those were the cries that came from the Opposition as a result of a very simple proposition based on equality. That is the principle the Government brought before this House, not the principle that has been spoken about. Some places have a purer form of electoral equality than that which the Government is proposing, and some have not gone as far, but the principle is equality and non-discrimination. Mr Johnson: Which other States have allowed adoption? Mr McGINTY: I will paint the whole picture for the member. I have never said that the adoption provisions exist in each of the other States. The Opposition should not set up a straw man and then attempt to knock him down, by accusing me of saying things that have never been put forward as part of the Government’s intention. Mr Barnett: It is not part of your policy either, is it? Mr McGINTY: If the Leader of the Opposition read the Labor Party policy, he would find it contains a series of commitments on these issues, in writing, that came out of the Labor Party conference before the election. These issues are referred to in the policy. The Government is working on equality and non-discrimination, as in the case of the right to in-vitro fertilisation, which the Opposition is squealing about. It already exists in most of the other States. The IVF provisions in this State are unlawful and invalid, which is one of the reasons the Government is introducing legislation on IVF. The Government has never said that each of the other States has provisions in relation to adoption, such as those under discussion. The Government is standing on the principle of equality and non-discrimination, which is the thread that runs through every element of this legislation.
(1)-(2) The question of mandate is very simple. From 1972 onwards, Labor members of this Parliament brought before the Parliament legislation to deal with the rights of gay and lesbian people in this State. On each occasion members opposite, or their predecessors - the conservative side of politics - defeated those proposals. The only occasion on which the Labor Party had any success on this issue was in the time of Hon Bob Hetherington and Hon Grace Vaughan. Both were very enlightened people who, during the course of the 1970s introduced legislation to deal with the rights of gay and lesbian people. In 1989, the then Labor Government introduced legislation which succeeded, notwithstanding all sorts of outrage and cries from members opposite, in making sure that what gay men over the age of 21 did in their bedrooms was their own business, and was no longer accompanied by a criminal sanction. The outcry on that occasion from the conservative side of politics, was far greater than the outcry on this occasion. The Opposition is too conservative, and cannot bring itself to treat everyone as equal, or to make social changes that are necessary to reflect that equality. The Government’s mandate goes back 30 years. Now legislation has been introduced to do two things. It will ensure that every citizen in this State is equal before the law, regardless of their sexual orientation, and it will end many decades of discrimination against gay and lesbian people in every walk of life. I am extremely proud to be the person who has brought quality-based, non-discriminatory legislation before this Parliament. The Leader of the Opposition asked what the situation is in the other States. This legislation has been introduced on the basis of equality, and not discriminating against people. The Government has occasionally called in aid what has happened in other States and in other countries. This legislation, by and large, like most of the rest of the social legislation of this Labor Government, does nothing more than to bring this State into line with what is occurring in the other States. I recall the squeals that came from members opposite when the Government said that every citizen in this country should have an equal say in electing the Government. Shock, horror! It was the decline of western civilisation as we know it! It is the end of the world! The sun will not rise tomorrow! Those were the cries that came from the Opposition as a result of a very simple proposition based on equality. That is the principle the Government brought before this House, not the principle that has been spoken about. Some places have a purer form of electoral equality than that which the Government is proposing, and some have not gone as far, but the principle is equality and non-discrimination. Mr Johnson: Which other States have allowed adoption? Mr McGINTY: I will paint the whole picture for the member. I have never said that the adoption provisions exist in each of the other States. The Opposition should not set up a straw man and then attempt to knock him down, by accusing me of saying things that have never been put forward as part of the Government’s intention. Mr Barnett: It is not part of your policy either, is it? Mr McGINTY: If the Leader of the Opposition read the Labor Party policy, he would find it contains a series of commitments on these issues, in writing, that came out of the Labor Party conference before the election. These issues are referred to in the policy. The Government is working on equality and non-discrimination, as in the case of the right to in-vitro fertilisation, which the Opposition is squealing about. It already exists in most of the other States. The IVF provisions in this State are unlawful and invalid, which is one of the reasons the Government is introducing legislation on IVF. The Government has never said that each of the other States has provisions in relation to adoption, such as those under discussion. The Government is standing on the principle of equality and non-discrimination, which is the thread that runs through every element of this legislation.
The Leader of the Opposition asked what the situation is in the other States. This legislation has been introduced on the basis of equality, and not discriminating against people. The Government has occasionally called in aid what has happened in other States and in other countries. This legislation, by and large, like most of the rest of the social legislation of this Labor Government, does nothing more than to bring this State into line with what is occurring in the other States. I recall the squeals that came from members opposite when the Government said that every citizen in this country should have an equal say in electing the Government. Shock, horror! It was the decline of western civilisation as we know it! It is the end of the world! The sun will not rise tomorrow! Those were the cries that came from the Opposition as a result of a very simple proposition based on equality. That is the principle the Government brought before this House, not the principle that has been spoken about. Some places have a purer form of electoral equality than that which the Government is proposing, and some have not gone as far, but the principle is equality and non-discrimination.
Mr McGINTY: I will paint the whole picture for the member. I have never said that the adoption provisions exist in each of the other States. The Opposition should not set up a straw man and then attempt to knock him down, by accusing me of saying things that have never been put forward as part of the Government’s intention. Mr Barnett: It is not part of your policy either, is it? Mr McGINTY: If the Leader of the Opposition read the Labor Party policy, he would find it contains a series of commitments on these issues, in writing, that came out of the Labor Party conference before the election. These issues are referred to in the policy. The Government is working on equality and non-discrimination, as in the case of the right to in-vitro fertilisation, which the Opposition is squealing about. It already exists in most of the other States. The IVF provisions in this State are unlawful and invalid, which is one of the reasons the Government is introducing legislation on IVF. The Government has never said that each of the other States has provisions in relation to adoption, such as those under discussion. The Government is standing on the principle of equality and non-discrimination, which is the thread that runs through every element of this legislation.
Mr Barnett: It is not part of your policy either, is it? Mr McGINTY: If the Leader of the Opposition read the Labor Party policy, he would find it contains a series of commitments on these issues, in writing, that came out of the Labor Party conference before the election. These issues are referred to in the policy. The Government is working on equality and non-discrimination, as in the case of the right to in-vitro fertilisation, which the Opposition is squealing about. It already exists in most of the other States. The IVF provisions in this State are unlawful and invalid, which is one of the reasons the Government is introducing legislation on IVF. The Government has never said that each of the other States has provisions in relation to adoption, such as those under discussion. The Government is standing on the principle of equality and non-discrimination, which is the thread that runs through every element of this legislation.
Mr McGINTY: If the Leader of the Opposition read the Labor Party policy, he would find it contains a series of commitments on these issues, in writing, that came out of the Labor Party conference before the election. These issues are referred to in the policy. The Government is working on equality and non-discrimination, as in the case of the right to in-vitro fertilisation, which the Opposition is squealing about. It already exists in most of the other States. The IVF provisions in this State are unlawful and invalid, which is one of the reasons the Government is introducing legislation on IVF. The Government has never said that each of the other States has provisions in relation to adoption, such as those under discussion. The Government is standing on the principle of equality and non-discrimination, which is the thread that runs through every element of this legislation.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.