Law Reform Commission releases Discussion Papers for its Inquiry into Assisted Reproduction and Adoption

The Commission is holding a public forum to launch the papers on 8th September 2004. PLP made a submission to the Inquiry in July (see below).

The following papers are now available for download on the Law Reform Commission website:

• ART Surrogacy and Legal Parentage: A Comparative Legislative Review By Adjunct Prof John Seymour, Australian National University and Sonia Magri, Victorian Law Reform Commission (PDF 282KB)
• The Convention on the Rights of the Child: The Rights and Best Interests of Children Conceived through Assisted Reproduction By John Tobin, Law School, University of Melbourne (PDF 263KB)
• Outcomes for Children born of Assisted Reproductive Technology in a Diverse Range of Families By Dr Ruth McNair, Department of General Practice, University of Melbourne (PDF 326KB)
• Consultation Paper (PDF 506KB)

PLP Submission to the Victorian Law Reform Commission Inquiry into access to ART and Adoption

The Victorian Law Reform Commission is holding an enquiry into issues including access to assisted reproductive services (eg donor insemination in clinics), adoption, surrogacy, birth certificates and the rights of birth mothers, non-birth parents, children and donors/fathers. The consultation paper, titled 'Assisted Reproductive Technology and Adoption: Should the Current Eligibility Criteria in Victoria be Changed?' was released in Jan 2004.

PLP believes the current Victorian laws discriminate against lesbians and single women on the basis of our sexuality and 'marital' status.

Download the Prospective Lesbian Parents Submission to the Inquiry (June 2004) in .pdf (*large file - with pictures)

For more info on the consultation paper and terms of reference, see the VLRC website: www.lawreform.vic.gov.au

Read also a media release from PLP re: the Inquiry (MS Word file)

Booklet 'Pride and Joy - a resource for prospective lesbian parents in Victoria'

Booklet published by the Royal Women's Hospital. Is available online at wellwomens.rwh.org.au, or contact the Royal Women's Hospital Women's Health Information Centre for print copies ($10). Free to PLP participants (distributed at PLP meetings)

Australian Sperm Donor Registry

www.australianspermdonorregistry.com

Extract from the registry's home page 'The ASDR is part of a privately owned business that was specifically designed to help women who want children to get in contact with men willing to donate sperm. We do not store sperm.We simply provide a database of potential donors which women can access for a fee. It is then up to the donor and the women to decide whether or not they will try to conceive, how they will conceive and any parental rights the donor will have'.

A brief summary of the profiles of currently available sperm donors is available on the site. A fee is charged to access the contact details of the donors.

For a list of other websites that have adverts for sperm donors, see books & links