New IVF bill for SA introduced

Last week, Labor MP Ian Hunter introduced a new bill into SA parliament seeking to amend legislation that would allow lesbian couples and single women access to assisted reproductive treatment (ART).

The Assisted Reproductive Treatment (Equality of Access) Amendment Bill 2012 is similar to bills introduced in 2009 and 2011 that sought to change the state requirement for women to be medically infertile before they can access ART.

“Last year Parliament overwhelmingly supported the Family Relationships (Parentage) Amendment Bill 2011, which ensured lesbian mothers who conceived with the use of Assisted Reproductive Treatment have the right to have both their names listed on their children’s birth certificate,” Hunter said.

“So we have an absurd situation where lesbian mums can now be listed on the birth certificates of their children conceived through assisted reproductive treatment – but they remain unable to access reproductive treatment here in South Australia, unless they are infertile.”

In response to the new bill Terri Mitchell-Smith from Let’s Get Equal, LGE, told blaze, “LGE welcomes Ian Hunter’s bill and hope for speedy passage to resolve the situation of the inequality access to ART which exists in South Australia.

“LGE is thrilled at the ability to both go on the birth certificate in South Australia and would like to see ART being widened which at the moment only encompasses access via medical infertility.”

The bill is part of the results released in the Social Development Committee 2011 report into same-sex parenting.