Mr  J. BULL (Sunbury) — It gives me great pleasure to contribute to the debate on this landmark Adoption Amendment (Adoption by Same-Sex Couples) Bill 2015. This is a bill that legislates for and recognises same-sex couples as partners, same-sex couples who love one another and who, despite still not being able to legally marry in Australia, have the right to adopt and be recognised as a partnership.

This bill will remove discrimination against children and parents in same-sex families. Members know that currently same-sex couples who have adopted children have only one parent recognised by the state. This in my view is simply wrong. A good, hardworking government is one that uses its time in office to get on with doing the things its members promised, the things Victorians voted for and, above all, the things that change our state to make it safer, fairer and stronger. I could not be prouder than to be standing here today to contribute to the debate on this very important bill.

Before I go to the bill, I want to reflect personally on adoption, as my older brother and oldest sister in our Bull family of four were both adopted. In preparing for this bill I asked my parents to reflect on their adoption story. I quote my parents’ story:

In 1970 we married, and being in our early 20s we were able to work hard and save for our first home. After a few years we then decided to try and have the children that we had always wished for. We both came from loving families and were keen to carry on the tradition of being a happy family unit. After trying to conceive over a number of years with no result and no medical reason as to why we could not conceive, we decided we would inquire about adoption. We discussed this with our parents and immediate family members and they gave us their blessing.

We then began the very long process of adoption through the then-named Department of Social Services. This was very intense, with many interviews both together and alone. This also included a number of visits to our home by the social worker. Of course the adoption agency needed to ensure they were placing these babies into safe and loving homes for the good of the child. We found the process very exhausting and stressful, but the thought of knowing that at the end of it all we would hopefully be approved for the adoption of a baby made it all worthwhile. After about 18 months we finally received the long-awaited phone call we had been hoping for.

The agency then required us to meet the baby, this was to ensure we felt comfortable that we would be able to provide the love and affection needed to bring up a child in —

the home. It continues:

Of course it was love at first sight, and we brought home our first son.

Two years later we applied to the agency for a second baby, the sex of the child was irrelevant. We were approved and were lucky enough to get a baby girl.

Our two children were lovingly accepted by us, and our extended family and we thought our family unit was complete.

A few months after the adoption of our daughter we were amazed to discover that we were having a baby of our own, a daughter, and then three years later another son.

Honourable members interjecting.

Mr J. BULL — I am not sure I was a planned one! My parents’ story continues:

The four children were all raised happily as a family together, all were made aware from a very young age that the eldest two had been adopted and the younger two had been conceived by us.

They have all grown up in a secure and loving environment and have always been treated as equals in our family.

I know my siblings would all completely agree with that. What really stood out from my parents story was the complexity of adoption and the personal impacts adoption can have. I can only imagine how tough it must be for a same-sex couple, feeling as though you are not accepted, not supported and not recognised by the institutions that govern us and govern you.

I want to take the time to commend the Minister for Equality on his passion in this area — a passion that is clearly born from a deep desire to see people treated under the law fairly, equally and free from prejudice. As the minister has been reported as stating:

There are thousands of people in same-sex relationships who have children but the law only recognises one parent …

I also wish to commend the Premier, who has an unflagging determination to see equality across Victoria. Members in this debate have noted that Western Australia was the first state in the country to enact legislation enabling same-sex couples to be eligible to adopt children. New South Wales, the ACT and Tasmania have since also passed legislation that enables same-sex couples to apply to adopt.

It must be heartbreaking to wake every day knowing that despite who you are and who you love there is some greater body, some higher authority, that says, ‘Sorry, you are not who we define as an appropriate couple, therefore you will not have the same rights as a heterosexual couple’. This government believes that it is your values and your actions that define you, not your sexuality or the sexuality of your partner. This is a bill about fairness and a bill about equality. Relationships are built on love, trust, kindness, decency and fairness. Parents, regardless of their choice of partner, have an obligation to raise their children in fair, safe, loving, warm, compassionate environments.

We must aim to have children raised with a sound education, with access to great health care and free from violence, threats and intimidation. It is not, however, the role of the state to exclude parents because of their choice of partner and therefore discriminate against them. It is for this reason that I support this bill without question. I urge all members in this place and in the other place to support this bill, and I very proudly commend the bill to the house.