The Uniting Church faces a split over a ruling that has allowed an affiliated charity to stop a gay couple from fostering children.
The couple began a legal battle seven years ago with Wesley Mission Australia, which refused to allow them to become foster parents.
In a landmark decision earlier this month, the NSW Administrative Decisions Tribunal found in favour of Wesley Mission, which is part of the Uniting Church.
But a spokesman for the church said its members would be split by the decision.
NSW Opposition Leader Barry O’Farrell said there was no need to review the laws as the same-sex adoption bill had been passed in September. He said “faith-based” services were not the only option for those looking to adopt. “But because there is choice, because if you’re a same-sex couple you can … seek to adopt a child, I don’t think it’s a big concern,” he told reporters in Sydney.
More of Sydney Morning Herald report at:
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/gay-foster-care-ban-divides-uniting-church-20101227-1988l.html