Who is going to join me? The first LGBTI legal and regulatory conference is on in May

Who is going to join me? The first LGBTI legal and regulatory conference is on in May

The first annual LGBTI legal and regulatory conference is being held on 25 and 26 May in Melbourne. I will be speaking there-  about IVF reproductive treatment and stored genetic materials. Who is going to join me?

The topics covered are:

  • same-sex relationships, spouses and divorce
  • birth certificates, passports and gender recognition
  • special medical procedures for transgender teens
  • intersex- misconceptions and surgical interventions
  • discrimination and bullying in schools
  • discrimination issues in the workplace
  • end of life planning
  • relationship breakdown from a family law perspective
  • same sex domestic violence
  • adoption rights
  • international surrogacy and parenting orders- and finally my topic: TAHDAH!:
  • IVF reproductive treatment and stored genetic materials

The chair on day one is Anna Brown, from the Human Rights Law Centre, who has been leading the campaign for equal marriage, and on day two is Professor Nathan Mushin, retired Family Court judge.

There are top quality speakers, including:

  •  William Keogh
  • Kristen Walker QC
  • Dr Michelle Telfer
  • Sally Nicholes
  • Morgan Carpenter
  • Anthony Wood, partner from Herbert Smith Freehills
  • Ben Sayer
  • Paul Boers
  • and of course me.

It is an excellent program, and I encourage everyone to register! Early bird registration through Television Education Network is until 13 April. After that it’s full price.

Things to Read, Watch & Listen

Importing & Exporting Eggs, Sperm & Embryos into and out of Australia

In this video, world-renowned fertility and family lawyer Stephen Page walks you through the complicated legal maze of importing and exporting reproductive materials across Australia’s states and territories.

Surrogacy 101: A Growing Families Presentation by Stephen Page

Surrogacy remains a complex and evolving area of law in Australia, with strict regulations governing both domestic and international arrangements. While many intended parents seek surrogacy overseas, legal restrictions—such as prohibitions on commercial surrogacy and criminal penalties in some states—make it essential to understand the risks and legal implications.

Understanding Coercive Control in Family Law

At the 10th Annual Melbourne Family Law Conference, hosted by The Education Network on 6 March 2025, leading family law expert Stephen Page presented a comprehensive paper on this pressing issue.

Family Law Section Law Council of Australia Award
Member of Queensland law society
Family law Practitioners Association
International Academy of Family Lawyers - IAFL
Mediator Standards Board