Shadow Attorney-General George Brandis

Shadow Attorney-General George Brandis (pictured) has signaled his support for the changes which if passed by the Senate would see the children of same-sex families as legally recognised by Federal Law.

The Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee reported on their inquiry into the Family Law Amendment and recommended that the definition of 'child of de facto relationship' and the parenting presumptions in the Family Law Act 1975 be amended to allow children of same-sex relationships to be recognised as a child of the relationship.

Brandis has previously claimed that proposed legislative amendments to change ‘marital couple’ to ‘coupled relationship’ undermined marriage and earlier this year Brandis called for a Senate inquiry into the proposed legislative changes that would see same-sex couples gain the right to inherit their partner’s superannuation or death benefits which has delayed the passing of the Bill.

Corey Irlam of the Australian Coalition for Equality told MCV it was “heartening to see conservative members of parliament support these changes.”

“This shows it’s not just a gay issue, rather it’s in the best interests of the children,” he said.

“With bipartisan support this gives us the best chance we have to date.”

Irlam also welcomed the support of Families Australia, an independent organisation dedicated to promoting the needs and interests of families.

The group has spoken out and said they support the amendments to the Family Law Act.

“We take the view that families are very diverse irrespective of their form,” Brian Babington, CEO of Families Australia told MCV.

“They all deserve respect, we don’t make distinctions here.”

Babington said the focus must be on children and the child’s well-being.

“The interest of children must be paramount, we have obligations under the United Nations to make all children are nurtured and given best opportunities in life.

“Today’s society is different than it was a decade ago. We know recognise family as blended, extended and same-sex.”

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