First same-sex couple to adopt in New South Wales are great dads

Foster parents – affectionately called ‘‘Dad” and ”Papa” – have become the first same-sex couple in NSW to adopt. A Supreme Court judge, George Palmer, last week made orders for the adoption of William, 9, and Jane, 5, by their foster parents, Mr Smith and Mr Jones (the family has been given pseudonyms).

The judge said the court was not concerned with ideological debate, only what was best for the children, and Mr. Smith and Mr. Jones were ”unquestionably capable of parenting these two children”.

Although single gay men and women have been eligible to adopt children, the Adoption Act previously defined a ”couple” as a man and a woman who were married or in a de facto relationship.