Fed: Howard forced to defend IVF plan again

AAP General News (Australia)
08-04-2000
Fed: Howard forced to defend IVF plan again

Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD has again defended his intention of banning single women
and gay couples from using IVF.

Mr HOWARD's plan to amend the Sex Discrimination Act to allow the states to restrict
the availability of IVF was attacked by callers to a Melbourne radio station this morning.

One accused him of interfering in a personal situation -- and said she was a better
mother than some two-parent heterosexuals.

But Mr HOWARD said the government had the right to intervene in the issue because taxpayers'
funds were used to pay for IVF programs.

He admitted there were good and bad two-parent families, but said that was not the main issue.

The question was whether society believed children should have the expectation of the
care and love of both a mother and a father.

The prime minister said the government's decision was not a negative judgment of people
living a homosexual lifestyle, but asserting a child's fundamental right, which took precedence
over other rights.





Mr HOWARD says he's happy to discuss the issue with Labor and the Democrats, but he
can't see that there's any room for compromise.

The government's proposition is simple and straight forward.

Either you support the government's stand or you don't, he says.

AAP RTV eg/sub/jn

KEYWORD: IVF HOWARD (CANBERRA)

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