Mr MAREK (9:08 PM) —I must say that, having listened to some of the other speakers, it is good to see that such bipartisan support has been put behind the Family Law Amendment Bill (No. 1) 1998 . This bill is a great initiative and this is evidence that this coalition government is not only awake but also aware. The Labor government in past years had a history of incorrectly administering legislation, and it is a breath of fresh air to see that this parliament is working in the best interests of all Australians.

The legislation makes two particular changes to the Family Law Act. As we have heard in the past, it actually amends the Family Law Act to enable regulations to be made giving automatic recognition to adoption decisions made under the law of prescribed overseas jurisdictions. At this time, the only jurisdiction which will be prescribed is the People's Republic of China. However, in future, if state and territory governments agree, it will be possible for further regulations to be made prescribing other jurisdictions. That information comes from the second reading speech by the Attorney-General (Mr Williams) and, like I say, it is a great initiative.

This legislation will actually facilitate Australia's international arrangements on intercountry adoption. This is an event that provides a future for many Australians in relation to having a family when many often cannot have, or do not have the ability to have, children. So, as far as I am concerned, I think it is a wonderful initiative.

A lot of couples would like to have children but, through no fault of their own or whatever, there is a problem. As the previous speaker, the member for Dickson (Mr Tony Smith), was saying, it is imperative that people, if they want to, be able to complete their relationship to the point of having children to look after. I think that is wonderful. Some time down the track, my good wife and I would like to have children and, if we were not able to, I would like to think that we would be able to go through that process as well. It is not just an initiative for a small group of Australians; you do not know whom it will affect. That is why I say it is good legislation looking after good people, looking after good Australians.

Further to that, the question should be looked at in relation to political parties. The legislation poses an interesting question. In fact, I would be interested to hear how One Nation would actually feel about the intercountry adoption process, obviously because of the make-up of the children drawn from other countries. It is an interesting debate. I think all political parties should be involved in this debate. It basically goes across all sections of our community and therefore I think it is important. It is great to see that the Independents have entered into the debate, as well as the Labor Party and the National-Liberal coalition. But we have not heard from some of the other Independents and it would be interesting to hear what they have to say or how they feel about the intercountry adoption process. It is a great initiative.

Let us be very clear about this: there are people who want to adopt and there is a shortage of children who are available for adoption. People should be able to draw on children from overseas countries—children who are significantly disadvantaged or oppressed or who, more often than not in some cases, might not be able to survive if it were not for the ability of people to be able to adopt those children.

This is a great initiative. I actually know there are a couple of families in Capricornia who have already drawn on the intercountry adoption process. I know that they are very proud Australians. We are a multicultural society and it is good to see that we interact so well in the community and that we have this ability to be able to work with other nations to ensure that this country develops to be one of the greatest nations in the world.