Tasmania to grant parental rights

Tasmania to grant parental rights

The Tasmanian Government has introduced legislation which will give equal legal recognition to lesbian couples having children through IVF.

The Relationships (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill proposes reform to the state’s Adoption Act and Status of Children Act, providing for non-biological lesbian parents to be legally considered the parents of a child.

The Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group and the Tasmanian Women’s Legal Service applauded the Government’s move. A previous attempt to introduce legislation failed in 2003 when the reform was scuttled in the Upper House.

TGLRG spokesman Rodney Croome said he believed the legislation should pass this time around.

This legislation will give children born to same-sex partners through reproductive technology like IVF the financial and emotional security of having two legal parents rather than one, he said.

Women’s Legal Service managing solicitor Susan Fahey said the current lack of recognition for non-biological mothers is problematic in areas such as emergency medical decision-making.

Same-sex couples have had access to assisted reproductive technology in Tasmania for many years.

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4 responses to “Tasmania to grant parental rights”

  1. It makes great progress for the Tasmanian Government to introduce legislation which will give equal legal recognition to lesbian couples,it’s hopeful male same-sex couples will also be benificial.

  2. Jason the reason it does not include male same-sex couples is because there is another seperate reform proposed – through surrogacy (which is already undergoing inquiry). Two men cannot get IVF, it is just not possible – but it is possible for two women.

  3. Sadly its only for female same-sex couples and not male same-sex couples in regards to parental rights. The reform could be alot better, but its a step in the right direction.