Ms Justine Quinn:

That is how it is done in most European states. There are jurisdictions that do not permit inter-country adoption in respect of certain countries that have provided for legal equality for lesbian and gay couples. That is an issue for those countries.

I will now address the Senator's question of how somebody responds to a child's question. It is very important to talk to children who have lesbian and gay parents before making an argument based on their position. It is important to consult the children. If one has questions on LGBT parenting, there are children who have been raised by gay and lesbian parents who have been willing to come forward and talk about their experiences. It is important to consult them and discuss it with them rather than using them as a position in an argument that adoption should be exclusively open to heterosexual people, which would not be consistent with the European Convention on Human Rights.