The Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) today expressed disappointment that the Assisted Reproductive Treatment Bill 2008 had passed its second reading in the Victorian Upper House but said there was still hope that the legislation committee would see the dreadful implications of the bill and reject it.

ACL Victorian Director Rob Ward said the bill had passed its second reading by the narrowest of margins (20-18) and he is hopeful that the committee’s review would further reveal to parliamentarians the way in which the bill would deconstruct families, disadvantage children and take ‘social engineering’ to a new extreme. 

“This bill is part of an orchestrated campaign to deconstruct the natural family in favour of artificial social constructs that normalise homosexual and lesbian parenting.

“For example, for the first time in Victoria two homosexual men will be able to legally acquire a child through surrogacy – something that drastically changes millennia of understanding on the best interests of the child,” Mr Ward said.

“The bill liberalises surrogacy laws to the extent that almost anyone can arrange for a woman to carry a child on their behalf, a situation that risks exploiting women and confusing children who may have up to six adults involved in their conception, birth and upbringing.”

Mr Ward said the bill places the desires of those adults who choose alternative lifestyles far above the rights of the children conceived using technology.

“Every child deserves the opportunity to have a mother and a father, and to know who they are genetically and biologically. Governments should be actively protecting this right, not overturning it.

“We urge the committee to look into the full implications of the bill and reject it.”

Media Contact: Rob Ward on 0408 348 352 or Glynis Quinlan on 0408 875 979

Australian Christian Lobby
Canberra, Australia

Tel: (02) 6259 0431

Fax: (02) 6259 0462

Mob: 0448 602 878

www.acl.org.au