Parliamentary inquiry into surrogacy

Shortly before the end of last year it was announced that the Attorney General has asked the House of Representative Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs to inquire into the regulatory and legislative aspects of international and domestic surrogacy arrangements.

The Committee is to consider:

• The existing legislative arrangements, policies and practices and existing international obligations – including family law, immigration, citizenship, child support, passports and privacy – and inconsistencies that exist;
• Medical and welfare aspects, including the role of health care providers and welfare services;
• Issues about informed consent, exploitation, rights, payments and protections; and
• Information sharing between the states and territories and the Commonwealth.

The Committee's report is due by 30 June 2016.