Professor in the clear over gay marriage views

Updated

May 14, 2012 17:44:05


Professor George Kuruvilla

Photo:

Professor Kuruvilla is among 150 doctors who believe children are better off with heterosexual parents. (ABC TV)

The State Government says a member of Victoria’s Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC) who opposes gay marriage has no case to answer.

Professor Kuruvilla George is also Victoria’s deputy chief psychiatrist and one of a group of 150 doctors who wrote to a Senate inquiry on marriage equality.

The submission argued children with a mother and father were healthier than children with same-sex parents.

Deputy Premier Peter Ryan says Professor George is not at fault and as far as the Government is concerned, the matter is closed.

“He’s made his statements on a private basis, he’s made them in that capacity,” Mr Ryan said.

“He was not speaking on behalf of the Commission. It’s a point of view that he has expressed privately.”

Mr Ryan says the state’s chief psychiatrist Dr Ruth Vine has issued a statement saying that any comments made by those who are subject to the code of conduct need to be done in a private context.

Professor George has assured me that he signed the Senate inquiry submission in his capacity as a private citizen.

Professor George said that he did not seek to represent the views of the Office of the Chief Psychiatrist or the Victorian Government.

In these circumstances, Professor George has not breached the code of conduct for Victorian public sector employees.

“It seems to us there is no breach of the code of conduct,” Mr Ryan said.

“Professor George and Dr Ruth Vine have confirmed that the signing of the petition was done on a private basis.

“He will keep his position.

“It would be ironic if a person expressing a private view were to be dismissed from a position which is often the consideration of that same commission (EOC).

“He was not speaking on behalf of the commission.”

The Government says Professor George’s views do not affect his ability to fulfil his public role.

Topics:
gays-and-lesbians,
doctors-and-medical-professionals,
government-and-politics,
rights,
melbourne-3000

First posted

May 14, 2012 15:57:43



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