Couple's dream of family in limbo

Couple's dream of family in limbo Sarah Crawford | 11th December 2009 Scott and Bronwyn McNamara have had their hopes of adopting two Ethiopian orphans dashed. BRETT WORTMAN BRONWYN and Scott McNamara have a simple dream of one day hoisting their adopted children on to their laps and reading to them The Very Hungry Caterpillar. But after a five-year wait, the Bokarina couple’s hopes of adopting two Ethiopian orphans appear to have been crushed after federal attorney-general Robert McClelland decided to suspend Australia’s adoption program with the African country. The McNamaras, who do not have any children, were devastated by the news. They have renovated their beachside home, adding a rumpus room and a pool, as well as buying toys, clothes and children’s books in anticipation of having a young family. The suspension could mean Mrs McNamara, 41, and her husband may never become parents as strict age restrictions apply for many countries that have adoption programs with Australia. “I feel the attorney-general has stolen five years of our lives with no regard,” she said. “For the past five years, our whole lives have been centred around our preparation to bring home two adopted children from Ethiopia. “It would be hard if we did have to start again. We would probably have to wait another five years which would make us too old, my husband would be nearly 50.” The Sunshine Coast has a strong connection to the Australian Ethiopian Intercountry Adoption Program. There are about 20 Coast couples who have adopted between one and three Ethiopian children from a small orphanage called Koala Centre. “This will impact upon them as well. Some of those families have one child and they are waiting to adopt a sibling but now they may never have that brother or sister,” Mrs McNamara said. Mr McClelland decided to suspend the program because the Ethiopian government asked Australia to provide community development assistance as part of the adoption program. Mr McClelland is concerned that may breach the Hague Convention, which does not allow for money to be exchanged as part of intercountry adoption agreements. The review of the program is expected to be completed by the end of the year and a decision on whether the program will be resumed will be made early next year. The McNamaras have called on Mr McClelland to let the program continue while the review is carried out.

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