Queensland enacts new IVF regulations to support donor-conceived individuals

On Tuesday, Queensland parliament passed significant legislation aimed at regulating the fertility industry, addressing long-standing issues related to donor anonymity. This new law mandates that all individuals conceived through IVF clinics be included in a register, including those conceived prior to the legislation. The move comes in response to criticism over the lack of access to medical histories for donor-conceived individuals, which has been a concern for many families. Advocates, including fertility lawyer Stephen Page, are now calling for a national donor registry to ensure consistent laws across Australia, as many clinics operate with varying regulations. The legislation also limits the number of families that can use a single donor to ten, a measure aimed at reducing the number of half-siblings that donor-conceived individuals may have. This change is particularly significant for those like Quill Leishman, who has experienced the complexities of being double donor-conceived. The reform is seen as a step towards rectifying past injustices, although some advocates, like Katharine Gelber, note that it does not retroactively benefit those conceived before the law was enacted. The legislation was prompted by a troubling inquiry from the Office of the Health Ombudsman, which revealed serious issues within the fertility sector, including medical errors. Under the new law, the health department gains the authority to investigate and potentially revoke the licenses of non-compliant clinics. Health Minister Shannon Fentiman emphasized the importance of this reform, stating that it aims to protect families from the consequences of unregulated IVF practices. The establishment of the donor register is expected by 2026, marking a significant shift in how donor-conceived individuals can access their biological and medical information. This legislative change is viewed as a historic reform for Queensland, paving the way for future improvements in the fertility industry and the rights of donor-conceived individuals.