Libs seek surrogacy changes
Liberal MPs have called for WA's surrogacy laws to be changed to make it illegal for West Australians to pay surrogate mothers overseas to have their babies.
Nick Goiran, chairman of the parliamentary committee that oversees the Corruption and Crime Commission, and former mental health minister Graham Jacobs are among four MPs who demanded change before the story of Gammy became public.
Seven-month-old Gammy, who has Down syndrome, was born to a Thai surrogate mother.
She has accused his biological parents, David and Wendy Farnell, of Bunbury, of leaving him behind in Thailand.
It then emerged Mr Farnell is a repeat child sex offender, with multiple indecent dealing convictions involving three young girls.
It was revealed yesterday that Mr and Mrs Farnell will appear on the 60 Minutes program tomorrow. Channel 9 said the couple would not be paid for the interview but the network would make a donation to Hands Across The Water charity, which is raising money for Gammy's treatment and care.
Mr Goiran, Dr Jacobs, Peter Abetz and Frank Alban made a joint submission to the WA Government's current review of the Surrogacy Act 2008.
"This is an important provision given the known practice of seeking surrogate mothers in countries such as India where they are subject to exploitation," their submission said.
Given that commercial surrogacy is banned in WA, it said it would "clearly be appropriate" to ensure West Australians could not arrange commercial surrogacy deals overseas, which "in many cases would involve the exploitation of women".
Similar laws are already in force in Queensland, NSW and the ACT. Only altruistic surrogacy is permitted in WA, but there is no law to prevent arranging surrogacy overseas as the Farnells did.
The Australian Christian Lobby also made a submission, voicing its opposition to surrogacy in all forms, whether altruistic or commercial.
Mr and Mrs Farnell said in a statement released by Channel 9 yesterday they wanted Australia to hear their side of the story before passing judgment.
