Known semen donors: to be or not to be a parent

The law has failed to keep pace with the reality that lesbian couples are conceiving children and raising families. At both Commonwealth and State levels, a complex web of legislation engulfs and winds its way through this area of the law. This article seeks to expose some of the bizarre and anomalous consequences that have emerged through the interaction of these provisions and the resulting judicial interpretations. It is argued that this incongruous, unsatisfactory situation cannot be allowed to continue. Uniform State and Commonwealth legislation must be enacted and existing Commonwealth legislation modified to avoid ongoing inconsistencies. Finally, legislative amendments are recommended which, it is argued, will go some way towards rectifying the situation.