Legislation has been introduced to Tasmania’s Upper House that will give equal legal recognition to female same-sex couples who have children through reproductive technology.
While same-sex couples in Tasmania have had the right to access IVF and other reproductive technology for many years now, two women still do not have the right to both be listed on their child’s birth certificate.
Women’s Legal Service (Tasmania) managing solicitor, Susan Fahey, says the lack of legal recognition for co-mothers is often problematic.
‘We are in constant contact with same-sex partners for whom the lack of legal security has meant severe disadvantage and trauma in daily life,’ she said.
‘We’ve had women who have presented themselves at emergency rooms but have been locked out because they were not legally recognised as a parent, but it can also be a problem for simple things like enrolling their child in daycare.’
A previous attempt in 2003 to pass legislation recognising same-sex parents received support from both major parties but failed by one vote in the Upper House.
Western Australia has recognised the same-sex partners of women who have children through reproductive technology such as IVF since 2002, making it one of the first states to do so.
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