Same-sex couples gain victory in Australia

SYDNEY, July 8 (UPI) -- The Law and Justice Committee in the Australian state of New South Wales says the law should be changed to allow same-sex couples to adopt children.

The Australian Broadcasting Corp. said Wednesday a New South Wales parliamentary inquiry ended with a recommendation from the committee that same-sex couples receive the same chance as heterosexual couples in terms of adoption.

The committee's proposal to change the Adoption Act would mean all potential adoptive parents would be judged based on their suitability and not their sexual orientation.

The committee, however, said faith-based adoption agencies should be granted some latitude when considering same-sex couples for adoption.

The committee did say those agencies should be required to refer same-sex couples to alternative adoption groups, ABC said.