The Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Bill, based on the recommendations of the Victorian Law Reform Commission, cleared the first hurdle toward becoming law in early October, passing the state’s lower house 48 votes to 36.

The bill boosts parenting rights for gay partners and parents of surrogate children.

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The laws were subject to a conscience vote, and passed despite all conservative politicians voting against it, and four Labor members crossing the floor.

There are 40 members in the upper house, and the Bill needs the support of 21.

Felicity Marlowe, spokesperson for the Rainbow Families Council, said she was ‘cautiously optimistic’ about the Bill’s chances of success.

‘It will be tight because it is a conscience vote,’ she told OUTinPerth.

She said the Council has been lobbying for abstinence in the face of a ‘no’ vote from conservative members of the house.

‘Our campaign has been a ‘if you can’t vote yes then don’t vote no’ campaign. This is especially the case for politicians who for one reason or another feel they cannot support the Bill,’ she said.

Marlowe, a long-time campaigner who has three children with her partner, said she hoped recent controversial legislation, including the Abortion Bill, would not weary socially-progressive moves in Victoria.

‘This is their job to deal with serious political issues, not just pipelines and roads. They vote on laws to create a just society. Our children shouldn’t lose out because some politicians have been aggressively lobbied by conservative groups,’ she said.

Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby co convenor, Hayley Conway, said the bill was vital for legal equality for gay and lesbian parents in the state.

‘This Bill is crucial as it provides children of same-sex parents the same rights as their heterosexual counterparts. It’s not about parents, it’s about children’s rights and a vote against this Bill is saying that children are only entitled to learn about their genetic heritage and have both their parents treated like a guardian in the eyes of the law if their parents are opposite sex.’

‘Should this Bill be passed, it will operate in a complimentary fashion with the changes to the Family Law Act currently facing Federal parliament,’ said Conway.