Adjourned debate on second reading.
(Continued from 30 June 2010.)
The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (23:39): It should not come as much of a surprise that I will be supporting this bill. It has been already expressed that we are the last jurisdiction to implement such an amendment and I do not see any purpose in making life difficult for same-sex couples by continuing to deny them this right which would be provided for by this measure.
Really, in a practical sense, it is all those issues to do with plane travel, picking their child up from school, health matters and all those things. I actually think it is quite mean-spirited for people to take the attitude that, by somehow making life more inconvenient for same-sex couples, it is actually going to diminish the prevalence of same-sex relationships in the community. I think it is quite childish and quite un-Christian, and I encourage members to support this bill.