"In a strongly worded cross-party report, the Committee found that – comprising Senators Payne, McKiernan and Greig – found that:

• the Bill is completely ineffective in implementing the government’s stated intention to ensure the best interests of the child (paragraph 5.6);
• the Bill will amend the Sex Discrimination Act so as to conflict with the very treaty that the Act is intended to implement (paragraph 5.8);
• the Bill is contrary both to the spirit and the letter of the Sex Discrimination Act (paragraph 5.10);
• no compelling case had been made that the rights of children will be advanced by the passing of the amendments, but the rights of some women will be diminished (paragraph 5.14).

The Committee also recognised that while there are a number of complex ethical and moral questions associated with the provision of assisted reproductive technology services, amendments to the Sex Discrimination Act were not an appropriate or effective vehicle for their consideration and resolution.

"This confirms Labor’s view that the Government’s amendments are simply bad law," said Mr McClelland."

Background to the inquiry on the Committee web site

Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby - call for help! 8/11/00
The Lobby has info on their web site now about points you might want to consider in making a submission to the Senate Inquiry

Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission
Press releases about the proposed amendments and information about the Sex Descrimination Act, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Descrimination Against Women (CEDAW)
http://www.hreoc.gov.au  or direct:  http://www.hreoc.gov.au/sex_discrimination/index.html

Or, go to Bills Net [Australian Parliament web site]
http://www.aph.gov.au/legis.htm
and choose Sex Discrimination Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2000
under this heading you will find:

Text of the bill
Explanatory memoranda
Bills list entry
Abstract
Bills Digest  [this is detailed background prepared by the Parliamentary Library]
Second reading speeches
Proposed Amendments
Schedules of Amendment 
You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to read these documents