Fed: Single and lesbian women should pay for IVF

AAP General News (Australia)
08-15-2000
Fed: Single and lesbian women should pay for IVF

CANBERRA, Aug 15 AAP - Single and lesbian women using in vitro fertilisation (IVF)
should pay for the treatments themselves, a National Party MP said today.

New South Wales National Party backbencher Ian Causley said the Medicare rebate for
the expensive treatment was part of the problem in the IVF debate.

"I think that this is an issue that was always going to be a very difficult issue but
again it depends on the circumstances," Mr Causley told reporters.

"If people are prepared to pay for the IVF I think that is different, but in many circumstances
people sit back and expect the taxpayer to pay for all of this.

"These are very expensive programs and even worse in some instances where they have
these babies and they then expect the taxpayer to pay and support the baby as well.

"I think that is one of those circumstances where people do pay anyway, if they are
very keen and they want a child this is one of those circumstances they need to pay for."

Attorney-General Daryl Williams is expected to introduce legislation this week to amend
the Sex Discrimination Act to allow states to prevent lesbian and single women access
to IVF treatment.

He will brief coalition MPs on the draft laws this morning.

AAP eg/mfh/maurO

KEYWORD: IVF CAUSLEY

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