Gay Labor activists slam NSW adoption ruling

GAY Labor activists have condemned the NSW government's restriction on same-sex adoption, labelling it "appallingly gutless".

Community Services Minister Linda Burney yesterday refused to support the recommendation of a bipartisan committee to lift the restriction on adoption by same-sex couples.

Although the law allows homosexual individuals to adopt, same-sex couples cannot.

Ms Burney said the committee's split 4-2 decision reflected the division in the community. "The government is not satisfied there is broad enough community support to justify new state legislation at this stage," she said.

"The government's primary concern will always be what is in the best interests of children."

Rainbow Labor, a group of gay and lesbian party activists, condemned the decision.

"This do-nothing approach denies children access to loving and stable adoptive parents and denies same-sex couples their basic equality," said Rainbow Labor convenor Jessica Epps.

"The Labor Party is supposed to be the party of reform and social justice. Their unwillingness to implement the recommendations is baffling."

The government has come under pressure from conservative groups -- including churches, schools and charities -- to maintain the restriction.

In her submission to the committee, the principal of St Philip's Christian College in Gosford, Michelle Kelly, described same-sex adoption as "an abomination".

But adoption advocate Janine Weir said the ban was an extreme form of prejudice. "Many same-sex couples do a tremendous job at raising children."