XN000022-1992-06-04 — Page 6

THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 1992

5

SAID

SECRETARY OF THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION, MR STUART STOKER, IN THE COURSE OF ITS DELIBERATIONS THE COMMISSION HAD FOUND BROAD PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR THE PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE LAW TO ENSURE THAT ILLEGITIMATE CHILDREN WERE NO LONGER PLACED AT A LEGAL DISADVANTAGE.

THE BILL SETS OUT A BASIC RULE THAT WORDS IN ALL LEGISLATION IMPLYING A FAMILY RELATIONSHIP, SUCH AS "SON"

AND "CHILD", ARE TO INCLUDE ILLEGITIMATE PERSONS UNLESS A CONTRARY INTENTION IS SHOWN.

BE

THE BILL ALSO CONTAINS PROVISIONS MAKING IT CLEAR WHO IS TO TREATED AT LAW AS THE FATHER OF A CHILD, INCLUDING THE SITUATION WHERE THE CHILD'S BIRTH HAS RESULTED FROM ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION OR OTHER SCIENTIFICALLY ASSISTED METHODS.

OTHER KEY

PROVISIONS INCLUDE THE INTRODUCTION OF A NEW PROCEDURE TO ALLOW A PERSON TO APPLY TO COURT FOR AN ORDER AS TO OR HER PATERNITY OR LEGITIMACY.

HIS

IN ADDITION, THE EXISTING LAW WHICH GIVES THE MOTHER OF AN ILLEGITIMATE CHILD EXCLUSIVE PARENTAL RIGHTS IS TO BE CHANGED ΤΟ ENABLE THE FATHER OF AN ILLEGITIMATE CHILD TO BE GRANTED PARENTAL RIGHTS BY THE COURT.

THE EFFECT IS THAT THE MOTHER WILL AUTOMATICALLY HAVE PARENTAL RIGHTS IN RESPECT OF HER CHILD BUT THE FATHER WILL ONLY HAVE THOSE RIGHTS IF HE IS MARRIED TO THE MOTHER OR HAS BEEN GRANTED THEM BY A COURT.

THE BILL MAKES PROVISION FOR SURROGACY, WHICH IS NOT ADDRESSED BY THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION.

ΤΟ ENABLE THE

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IT INTRODUCES A PROCEDURE

COMMISSIONING PARENTS" WHO DO NOT CARRY THE CHILD, IN A

+

SURROGACY ARRANGEMENT TO APPLY TO COURT FOR AN ORDER THAT THE CHILD BORN OF THE SURROGATE PREGNANCY BE TREATED IN LAW AS THEIR CHILD.

IF SUCH AN ORDER WAS NOT AVAILABLE, THE SURROGATE MOTHER AND HER HUSBAND WOULD BE TREATED IN LAW AS THE CHILD'S PARENTS.

THE BILL WILL BE GAZETTED ON JUNE 12 AND WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JUNE 24.

REGULATIONS TO STRENGTHEN FIRE PROTECTION IN BUILDINGS

NEW REGULATIONS TO PROVIDE BETTER FIRE PROTECTION FOR BUILDINGS WERE GAZETTED TODAY (THURSDAY).

THE BUILDING (PLANNING) (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) REGULATION 1992 EMPOWERS THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TO REQUIRE THAT ADEQUATE MEANS ACCESS BE PROVIDED IN NEW BUILDINGS.

OF

/SUCH MEANS