Catching up on news

As we approach the end of the year, a number of parliaments are considering legislation they want passed before they close.

Several bills have been considered already:

Sadly, the Tasmanian Legislative Council has passed a law that allows the lesbian partner of a birth mother to be included on the birth certificate as a parent of a child borne by the mother.

This totally removes the father from the situation - as if the father doesn't exist.
This has been made retrospective to 2003 - when major changes were made relating to adoption and relationship registers for same-sex couples.

Read the ABC's report - click here.

Euthanasia

Three states are currently considering euthanasia laws.

South Australia
The South Australian parliament is considering a euthanasia bill.

Ann Bressington in the Legislative Council is seen as having the key vote. In late October, her vote was crucial in sending the bill for further investigation. The second reading vote was almost equal on both sides.

Family First has issued an urgent call (on 9 Nov) for Christians to be active on this issue - they say the euthanasia bill is scheduled to have a final third reading vote in the Legislative Council on Wednesday 18 November.

If you live in SA it is urgent that you contact ALL the members of the Legislative Council to ask them to vote against the Bill.
Click here for contact details for SA MPs.

Christopher Pearson noted that there is not enough time now for the House of Assembly to debate the bill and says that since there is a state election in March next year the current bill will lapse.
Read his article in The Australian.

Tasmania
Thankfully the Tasmanian parliament has defeated a euthanasia bill by 15 votes to 7.
Read an ABC report - click here.
For the actual vote, see the Greens website.

Western Australia
The West Australian parliament may consider a euthanasia bill that has been put up by a Greens MP.
Hopefully the Liberal Government will not allow the bill to be debated.

Please pray about these matters - if you live in these states. please contact your MPs and ask them not to support the bills.

Click here for MP contact pages.