Same-sex couples in Victoria are only a step away from being legally able to adopt children as the upper house of the Victorian parliament passes the bill with 31 to 8 votes on Friday. But the amendment has also allowed exemptions to faith-based adoption services, giving them right to refuse from allowing same-sex couples from adopting children from their institutions. The bill will now be sent to the lower house for approval.

Martin Foley, the Victorian minister for Equality, said that the decision is yet to receive a nod from the government.

"In the delivery of state services, the Liberal Party voted to continue allowing discrimination against same-sex families and their children," the ABC quoted him as saying. "Relinquishing parents in adoption have and will continue to have every right under the adoption act to make sure that their children go to families and circumstances that they wish. We don't see why we should take a position that allows any level of discrimination, having said that, a giant step for equality was taken, there was still sadly, work to be done."

Greens Southern Metropolitan region MP Sue Pennicuik said it’s a great day for the same sex couples as years of campaigning have finally started to bear fruits. But according to Australian Christian Lobby Victorian Director Dan Flynn, the new bill will deprive the children right to a mother and a father.

The government had previously declined to include exemptions even for faith-based institutions after the Australian Christian Lobby tried to persuade the government to do so.

Liberal MP Bernie Finn said he is doubtful whether the house passed the bill while keeping in mind the best interest of the children. He reiterated that he doesn’t mean that same-sex couples cannot be good parents, but other couples have raised concerns that the same-sex couples would be given more importance, now that the government is serious about it.

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