Legal parentage and surrogacy – more inconsistency?

Confusion around legal parentage and surrogacy arrangements is continuing to cause conflict between Australian domestic public policy in relation to ‘commercial surrogacy’ and the child’s best interests. UWS law lecturer Dr Cressida Limon explores recent developments.

Paid Parental Leave for foster and kinship parents

A gap in the Paid Parental Leave (PPL) scheme means that foster and kinship parents are ineligible for payments. Foster carer and PPL advocate Kylie Cutting explains how extending the scheme could leader to better outcomes for vulnerable children.

Inter-country adoption – a decade of decline

Inter-country adoption has become an increasingly challenging pathway to parenthood for Australians. Fewer adoptions, longer waiting periods, and a greater percentage of children with complex and special needs are now the norm. Adoption advocate Nigel Holden shares his experience of becoming a father through inter-country adoption.

Adoption – growing concerns

The number of children in Out of Home Care grows considerably each year yet the number of domestic adoptions taking place remains stagnant. Currently navigating the process to first-time parenthood is Melissa Tinggee, who shares her comments for Adoption Awareness Month.