Tasmanian IVF parenting debate delayed

Debate on Tasmanian IVF laws has been delayed until October, due to a backlog of other Bills in the state’s Upper House.
The Relationships (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill, currently passing through the Legislative Council, proposes reform to the state’s Adoption Act and Status of Children Act, to recognise non-biological lesbian parents as legal parents.
The Tasmanian Government introduced legislation earlier this year which, if passed, will give equal legal recognition to lesbian couples having children through IVF.
Same-sex couples already have access to IVF services in the state.
The Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group and the Tasmanian Women’s Legal Service have both given their support for the legislation, which would give greater parenting rights to lesbian parents.
It is the second time the reform has come before the Tasmanian Parliament. In 2003 the legislation failed to get through the Upper House.
There were hopes, however, that with a more progressive Parliament, the legislation will pass this time.