Surrogacy could become legal in the NT from next year, as Health Minister confirms development of legislation already underway

LEGISLATION that would make surrogacy legal in the Northern Territory — bringing it in line with every other jurisdiction in Australia — is expected to be introduced in parliament next year

Legislation that would make surrogacy legal in the Northern Territory is expected to be introduced in parliament next year. Picture: iStock

LEGISLATION that would make surrogacy legal in the Northern Territory, bringing it in line with every other jurisdiction in Australia, is expected to be introduced in parliament next year, Health Minister Natasha Fyles has confirmed.

In a letter sent to NT surrogacy advocate Rebecca Want de Rowe and shared on the NT Surrogacy Advocacy Group Facebook page last week, Ms Fyles said the government was prioritising the introduction of surrogacy legislation to deliver on an election commitment.

“The Department of Health is progressing work to develop surrogacy legislation for the Northern Territory and I am anticipating the legislation will be introduced to parliament in 2021,” she wrote.

Ms Fyles has confirmed development of the legislation is already underway.

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The NT is currently the only state or territory in Australia in which altruistic surrogacy is not legal, meaning couples hoping to conceive via a surrogate must either move interstate or overseas to use one or remain childless.

There have long been calls for the practice to be legalised.

Ms Want de Rowe said the news legislation could be introduced in the next year was a huge relief for Territory residents hoping to have a baby through surrogacy and would encourage some to kickstart the process.

“I am regularly contacted by women asking for any updates on when is it happening, they’re desperate to start a family, and it is great I can give them some sense of a timeframe we’re expecting,” she said.

“It means they can go on the hunt for a surrogate now, because it does take some time to find a surrogate and build that relationship … because by the time they’re ready to make things formal, hopefully we’ll have the legislation in place by then.”

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Fellow NT surrogacy advocate Tara Kaspar, who with her husband Luke has already begun the process to have a baby via a surrogate, said legalising the practice in the Territory would make the process infinitely easier for prospective parents.

“I’m so excited it will help other families not to have to go through the stuff we’re doing just to get a child,” she said.

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