Queensland govt hoping to reform surrogacy laws

"Debate on controversial laws to legalise altruistic surrogacy in Queensland was
expected to continue into Thursday in the state's parliament.

Queensland is the only Australian state in which altruistic surrogacy is a criminal
offence, punishable by a $10,000 fine or three years' imprisonment.

Both sides of politics support the government's bill, allowing a woman to give birth
to another couple's child for no payment, but the opposition is hoping to block
access for same-sex couples and single people.

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh has urged MPs not to create "second-class" children by excluding some people.

But opposition frontbencher Ray Hopper has questioned the government's motives for the open door legislation.

"This government is pushing for surrogacy to be accepted for many reasons, so same-sex couples can feel good, to gain popularity and in doing so reducing children to the status of pets," Mr Hopper said.

The government hadn't considered the everyday challenges of parenting, like using public toilets, he said.

"Just look at the first five years of a child's life when you've got two mothers," Mr
Hopper said.

"How do you take them to a public toilet when you go on a so-called family outing?

"They will have to go to the ladies' toilet won't they?

"You're not going to let a little boy go to the male toilet."

The state's MPs have been given a rare conscience vote on the legislation."

Dicks!!! I've thought about surrogacy. But if this is the governments stupid argument...they're all dicks!!!