A BILL to give rights to unmarried fathers has moved a step closer to becoming law after the Children and Young Persons (Amendment) Bill passed its third reading in Legislative Council on Tuesday.
The bill, which was put forward as a private member’s bill by Juan Turner MLC, would give equal parental responsibilities to fathers of children even when they are not married to the child’s mother.
Mr Turner explained that at present, married parents both have responsibility for their children and that continues even if they divorce.
But if parents choose not to marry, only the mother has responsibility, unless an agreement has been signed or a court order is made.
It means that they do not automatically get a say in decisions regarding their child’s education, welfare, upbringing or even consent to medical treatment.
If the legislation is brought in, like in parts of the UK, fathers would get automatic parental responsibility if they are named as the father on the child’s birth certificate.
Mr Turner said the bill was ‘long overdue’, and was supported by the Department of Social Care, Department of Education and Children, and the family court’s welfare officers.
He has previously said that he has no vested interest in the bill.
Mr Turner said that it would not solve all issues that arose from the breakdown of a relationship, and was entirely separate from issues like access and maintenance where parents were divorced or separated.
The bill was unanimously approved by LegCo.
Alex Downie MLC said that he supported the removal of an anomaly that ‘deprived fathers of the rights to make decisions about their child’.
He said that the bill would create a ‘much better system’ which was ‘more in keeping with the modern day’.
Phil Braidwood MLC said: ‘Every child should have the opportunity to have access to both parents.
‘This legislation will enshrine in law the father has the responsibility as well and the child will have the opportunity to meet and have access to his father.’
If approved, the legislation would be brought in by the Department of Social Care.
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