The Australian Surrogacy Podcast Episode 71: Ric. Ric is a single man pursuing surrogacy in Western Australia to grow his family. Unfortunately, the surrogacy laws in Western Australia prohibit single men and same sex male couples from pursuing surrogacy within their own State, forcing people to move interstate or pursuing international surrogacy. The laws are discriminatory, and arguably any case against the WA government would result in the laws being declared invalid because they are inconsistent with the Commonwealth Sex Discrimination Act.
Whilst there are changes afoot, they’re taking too long, and in the meantime Ric is looking at other avenues. We also talked about the legacy left behind by his loving and very much loved wife Susannah, and the work he’s been doing to effect law reform in WA.
Unfortunately, the current laws mean that gay couples and single men in WA are often forced to go overseas to pursue surrogacy. Surely being able to pursue surrogacy within their home state is a much better option for everyone involved? If you are interested in supporting the cause for surrogacy law reform in Western Australia, you can contact the Minister for Health, Roger Cook and let him know that you think the laws are discriminatory and that law reform should happen as soon as possible.
There are law reform developments in Western Australia which will allow gay couples and single men to pursue surrogacy as well hopefully coming in 2021/2022.
You can read about international surrogacy options, or other state surrogacy laws.
Sarah is a surrogacy lawyer and has published a book, More Than Just a Baby: A Guide to Surrogacy for Intended Parents and Surrogates, the only guide to surrogacy in Australia. Sarah has been a surrogacy lawyer for many surrogacy arrangements in Perth and across Western Australia.
You can find more information in the free Surrogacy Handbook, reading articles in the Blog, by listening to more episodes of the Podcast. You can also book in for a consult with me below.
Sarah can assist with surrogacy arrangements across all states, including Adelaide and South Australia and cross-border arrangements. You can contact me here. All consults are conducted over Zoom and email.
Sarah can also assist with Parentage Order applications in Western Australia.
You can book in for a consult with me below, and check out the legal services I provide.
Hi! I’m Sarah Jefford (she/her). I’m a family creation lawyer, practising in surrogacy and donor conception arrangements. I’m an IVF mum, an egg donor and a traditional surrogate, and I delivered a baby for two dads in 2018
I advocate for positive, best practice surrogacy arrangements within Australia, and provide support and education to help intended parents make informed decisions when pursuing overseas surrogacy.
