Tas Liberals support same-sex surrogacy after their push to ban it fails / Libs say same-sex couples can have surrogacy if they wait three way

This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 12.4.11

The Tasmanian Liberal Party has decided to allow same-sex surrogacy after the Party's attempt to outlaw it failed.

The about-face occurred during debate on the Tasmanian Government's Surrogacy Bill and comes after many same-sex couples with children contacted the Liberal Party expressing outrage at the Party's original proposal allowing surrogacy for heterosexual partners and singles but criminalising it for same-sex couples.

Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, welcomed the Liberals' decision, but added that conditions imposed on same-sex surrogacy must be the same as those imposed on other couples entering surrogacy arrangements.

"We are pleased the Liberals have responded to the heart-felt pleas of same-sex partners with children, and have now decided to treat all Tasmanians equally", Mr Croome said.

"The Liberals' former proposal would have made surrogacy a crime only if same-sex couples were involved, which would have put outdated prejudice ahead of the best interests of the children being raised by such couples."

This evening the Liberals attempted to maintain criminal penalties on surrogacy arrangements involving same-sex couples, but when that failed to gain Government or Green support the Liberals proposed allowing same-sex couples to be involved in legally-recognised surrogacy arrangements if the partners have been in a state Deed of Relationship - the Tasmanian equivalent of a civil partnership - for three years.

The Liberals have proposed that heterosexual de facto couples should also have to wait three years before entering legal surrogacy arrangements but that married heterosexual couples should have immediate access regardless of the length of their relationship.

Mr Croome said that the same conditions should apply to all couples or the law will continue to discriminate.

The Surrogacy Bill is expected to pass the Lower House unamended. Support in the Upper House is uncertain.

For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.