Access to Assisted Reproductive Technologies in Australia: Time for Legislative Change in Queensland and the Northern Territory to Remove the Ability to Discriminate Based on Relationship Status or Sexuality

Author(s)
McGrady, Alisha
Smith, Malcolm
Allan, Sonia
Publication Date
2023-06
Abstract
<p>This article examines legislative provisions in Queensland and the Northern Territory, which allow for assisted reproductive technology (ART) service providers to discriminate against people based on their relationship status and/or sexuality. We provide several arguments that add weight to the recent proposal of the Queensland Human Rights Commission that the relevant section of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (Qld) be repealed, and extend our arguments to the Northern Territory. The provisions in both jurisdictions are out of sync with key legal developments in the rest of Australia, do not accord with societal views, and are potentially invalid due to federal law. Further, the Queensland provision is potentially incompatible with the Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld). Although currently ART service providers do not appear to discriminate based on relationship status or sexuality, the current legislative framework leaves open the potential to do so, without an avenue for those impacted to challenge it in law. We conclude such provisions should be repealed.</p>
Citation
Journal of Law and Medicine, 30(1), p. 191-211
ISSN
1320-159X
Pubmed ID
37271959
Link
Language
en
Publisher
Lawbook Co
Title
Access to Assisted Reproductive Technologies in Australia: Time for Legislative Change in Queensland and the Northern Territory to Remove the Ability to Discriminate Based on Relationship Status or Sexuality
Type of document
Journal Article
Entity Type
Publication

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