Lots of news.... Lesbian parents, TV, alcohol, ETS

Hardly a day goes by without a host of items related to the issues we address.

We've had a few days away interstate... and even more things need attention!

Tasmania: Lesbian parents

On August 20, the Tasmanian House of Assembly passed legislation to allow the lesbian parent of a lesbian birth mother to be recognised as a parent.

The Bill has now gone to the Legislative Council for consideration and a vote.

To see the Bill itself and the progress of the Bill on the Tasmanian Parliament website:

Relationships (Miscellaneous Amendments) 40 of 2009
Relationships (Miscellaneous Amendments) 40 of 2009 ... Date shown is when the Bill passes the particular stage.

Media reports:
Same-sex parent Bill
The Mercury, August 21, 2009.
"LEGISLATION to end discrimination against same-sex parents passed the House of Assembly yesterday. Same-sex parents cannot be by their child's side during emergency medical treatment or legally sign simple school documents, gay and lesbian advocates say. Legislation to end discrimination against same-sex couples yesterday passed its first hurdle as it was voted through the House of Assembly.
The lengthy and sometimes emotional debate split the Liberals after party members were allowed a conscience vote. Rene Hidding, Michael Hodgman and Brett Whiteley voted against the Bill.
The Legislative Council will debate the Bill next week...."

Gay mums bill will be decided in MLC vote
Tasmania Examiner, 21/08/2009. "THE fate of lesbian mothers who want legal recognition of their parental rights lies with members of the Legislative Council, with the House of Assembly yesterday passing a bill to give equal rights to lesbian parents...."

A review of the Television 'Code of Practice'.

This is a review of the 'Code of Practice' for free-to-air or commercial television.
Submissions are due on 25 September.
Click here for our Campaign page - with full links and documents about the Review.

Two articles in The Australianhighlight the proposed changes they want to make - weakening guidelines for depictions of sex in MA programs, making it harder to complain, insisting one has to watch a program in order to lodge a complaint and so on...
Community demands TV clean up its act
The Australian, August 24, 2009.
Call for more ads and adult shows on digital TV
The Australian, August 24, 2009

Alcohol and pregnancy

Pregnant women will be warned by the federal government's preventive health taskforce NOT to drink alcohol as it may affect the growing baby...

Pregnant women told to stop drinking

Herald Sun, August 20, 2009.

"PREGNANT women will be told to give up booze - and could be confronted with warning labels on alcohol products.
The Rudd Government's preventive health taskforce says it is "impossible to set a safe or no-risk drinking level".
Current guidelines advise pregnant women not to have more than seven standard drinks a week and no more than two standard drinks within two hours in one day.
Those guidelines are based on research indicating that fewer than one drink a day has no measurable impact on the physical and mental development of children.
But the taskforce report, to be released soon, says pregnant women should be urged to abstain.
Australian Medical Association president Andrew Pesce backs the report...."

Senator Boswell writing on the damaging effects of an Emissions Trading scheme:

Business can save us from ETS disaster
The Australian, Ron Boswell | August 25, 2009.