ALRC surrogacy review: why process matters as much as principle

On 18 December, feminist organisations from across Australia will participate in a roundtable discussion on the Australian Law Reform Commission's review of surrogacy laws. This review will shape national policy affecting women and children for years to come. Yet the process through which this review is being conducted raises fundamental questions about impartiality, democratic participation, and compliance … Continue reading ALRC surrogacy review: why process matters as much as principle

No reform without women: Still time for WA parliament to reject process on surrogacy Bill

Western Australia’s Assisted Reproductive Technology and Surrogacy Bill 2025 (the Bill) passed through the Legislative Assembly on 16 September and is now before the Legislative Council. What might be framed as progressive healthcare reform is actually a case study in industry capture of legislative process, where those who profit from surrogacy are trying to write … Continue reading No reform without women: Still time for WA parliament to reject process on surrogacy Bill

False equivalence: Why ‘bundling’ fertility medicine with surrogacy puts women at risk

Policy-makers in Australia keep insisting that assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) and surrogacy belong under one legislative roof — a position that might suit industry and bureaucracy, but one that leaves women exposed to exploitation and harm. NSWWAA's latest submission to the NSW Legislative Council Select Committee on Fertility Support and Assisted Reproductive Treatment lays out … Continue reading False equivalence: Why ‘bundling’ fertility medicine with surrogacy puts women at risk

WA must withdraw its fatally flawed Surrogacy Bill: it needs genuine scrutiny, not industry-driven law

The Western Australian Women’s Action Alliance (WAWAA) has formally written to all Members of the WA Parliament urging each of them individually to support the withdrawal of the Assisted Reproductive Technology and Surrogacy Bill 2025 and refer it to the Law Reform Commission of Western Australia as well as parliamentary committee for full scrutiny and … Continue reading WA must withdraw its fatally flawed Surrogacy Bill: it needs genuine scrutiny, not industry-driven law

The power of a united front: Why coalitions matter in feminist advocacy

Making headway on issues like surrogacy law isn’t a solo pursuit. Our recent joint submission to the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) by a coalition of feminist organisations is a case in point. But when feminist groups with overlapping aims join forces, our arguments tend to land with more force, and it’s a reminder that … Continue reading The power of a united front: Why coalitions matter in feminist advocacy

Feminist groups demand a voice in the ALRC’s review of surrogacy laws

AAWAA has led a coalition of independent feminist organisations from across Australia to present a formal submission to the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) as part of its review of surrogacy laws. As members of a coalition of independent feminist organisations from across Australia, we have jointly submitted our response to the Australian Law Reform … Continue reading Feminist groups demand a voice in the ALRC’s review of surrogacy laws

Surrogacy is state-sanctioned violence against women and girls: Why prohibition is the only answer

AAWAA has responded to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls (SRVAWG)’s call for input for her upcoming report to the General Assembly’s 80th session, specifically addressing the theme of surrogacy and its relationship to violence against women and girls. AAWAA’s submission makes our position unequivocal: All forms of surrogacy constitute … Continue reading Surrogacy is state-sanctioned violence against women and girls: Why prohibition is the only answer

Problems with surrogacy will disappear if surrogacy is banned

The NSW Women's Action Alliance (NSWWAA) has put in a submission to the NSW government for the Government's review of the Surrogacy Act 2010 and the Status of Children Act 1996. This review has come in response to an inquiry into an omnibus bill that seeks to amend twenty different laws all at once in … Continue reading Problems with surrogacy will disappear if surrogacy is banned