Tasmania is located just off the coast of Australia. Seeing what other parts of the world are doing about surrogacy and what laws are passing is something that everyone should be following as it could effect all of us eventually.
Surrogacy laws under review
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While surrogacy is rare, Tasmania is considering legalising the process. (Getty Images: Ian Waldie)
A young Hobart couple has told a Select Committee into Surrogacy in Tasmania of their desire to have a child of their own.
The Legislative Council Committee is investigating how Tasmanian law deals with surrogacy and if it should be changed.
Erin Hopson is medically unable to carry a baby but she and partner Malcolm Duggan would desparately love to have their own child.
They told the Select Committee they have looked into adoption, but would have to wait at least 6 years.
A relative has offered to carry a child for them, however Tasmanian law prevents them from undergoing the medical procedures here.
The committee has also heard from Victorian Senator Stephen Conroy. He and his wife used a surrogate mother and egg donor to have their daughter.
As surrogacy was illegal in their home state of Victoria, they had to go to New South Wales for their baby.
The chair of the Tasmanian committee, Lin Thorp, says the current situation is confusing.
"People can actually come here if they've actually managed to get an impregnation, if you like, in another state and finish off the surrogacy here but they can't begin one and the laws are different state to state," she said.
Ms Thorp says surrogacy is rare, but contains many emotional minefields.
"What happens if the surrogate mother decides she does not want to give up the child?"
Ms Thorp says the best interests of the child must be considered first.
New South Wales and the ACT allow surrogacy and Western Australia is set to join them.
The State and Federal Governments are considering a nationally consistent law to allow altruistic surrogacy, where the woman who carries the child is not paid.
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