Australian Family and Fertility Law

Stephen Page
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Join Award-Winning Family & Surrogacy Lawyers, Bruce Provan and Stephen Page who interviews lawyers, doctors, counsellors, parents, surrogates, scientists, donors and others who are the moving parts bringing together the ability to form families through surrogacy, and when families fall apart. Interviewees talk about their personal journeys through life, leading to their passion in their respective fields.

  1. 1D AGO

    How I Became a Fertility and Surrogacy Lawyer

    Send us a text In this episode, Stephen Page shares his professional journey into surrogacy and fertility law — a career that has spanned almost four decades and more than 2,100 surrogacy journeys. Following on from his personal fertility story, Stephen explains how lived experience, early family law work, advocacy for LGBTQ+ families, and a deep commitment to human rights shaped his path into one of the most complex and evolving areas of law. This is a story about: 📜 How Stephen’s first surrogacy case in 1988 changed everything ⚖️ Practising during a time when all forms of surrogacy were criminalised 🌈 Supporting LGBTQ+ families long before the law caught up 🌍 Advising on international and cross-border surrogacy arrangements 🧬 Working across all areas of fertility law, including donation and IVF regulation 🏛️ Influencing law reform and government policy across Australia 🏅 Receiving national and international recognition for advocacy and leadership 👶 Why the human rights of the child must always come first Stephen also reflects on the challenges of fragmented IVF regulation in Australia, the importance of bodily autonomy for surrogates, and why surrogacy law must balance the rights of surrogates, intended parents, partners, and—above all—children. This episode offers insight for: 👩‍⚖️ lawyers and health professionals 🤍 intended parents and surrogates 🌈 LGBTQ+ families 📚 anyone interested in how law, ethics, and family creation intersect 🎧 Part of the Australian Family & Fertility Law Podcast Made by Law Firm Marketing Experts, Practice Proof

    23 min

  2. 1D AGO

    Lessons From My Own Surrogacy Journey

    Send us a text In this episode, Stephen Page shares his deeply personal fertility and surrogacy journey — a story of hope, heartbreak, resilience, and ultimately, becoming a dad 👶💙 From knowing at just four years old that he wanted to be a father, to confronting infertility, emotional darkness, miscarriage, an ectopic pregnancy, and a four-year surrogacy journey, Stephen speaks openly about what it truly means to keep going when the path to parenthood is anything but easy. 🚫 This is not a legal talk. ❤️ This is a lived experience. In this podcast, Stephen talks about: 💔 Living with infertility and the emotional toll it takes 🌧️ Facing setbacks, miscarriage, and medical emergencies 🤍 Becoming a parent through surrogacy ⚖️ Standing in court for his own parentage order 📣 Experiencing public scrutiny and homophobic backlash 🌈 Marching in WorldPride as a family 🌱 Watching his daughter thrive ✨ Three hard-won lessons for anyone on a fertility journey Whether you’re: 👣 on your own fertility journey, 🤱 considering surrogacy, 🫂 supporting someone who is, or 💭 simply wanting to understand what these journeys really look like — this video is shared with honesty, compassion, and hope. If this story resonates with you, please know: you are not alone 💛 Made by Law Firm Marketing Experts, Practice Proof

    16 min

  3. JAN 27

    Can Gay Men Really Become Fathers Through Surrogacy in Australia?

    Send us a text Can gay men really become fathers through surrogacy in Australia? Absolutely—and family law expert Stephen Page has helped over 1,000 LGBTQ+ individuals make that dream a reality.  In this heartfelt episode of the Australian Family and Fertility Law Podcast, Stephen Page from Page Provan Family and Fertility Lawyers shares his deeply personal journey as a gay man, proud husband, and father through surrogacy—while revealing insights from 2,000+ surrogacy cases spanning Australia and 39 countries worldwide.  🌈 What You'll Discover:  How surrogacy pathways have evolved for gay couples and singlesThe surprising shift in who's pursuing surrogacy todayWhy discrimination doesn't have to stop your parenthood dreamsExpert guidance from one of Australia's leading fertility lawyers Whether you're a gay couple, single by choice, or simply exploring your options, Stephen's message is clear: if parenthood is in your heart, there's a path forward. Made by Law Firm Marketing Experts, Practice Proof

    4 min

  4. JAN 18

    A Landmark Win for LGBTQ+ Families in Australia!

    Send us a text Can a gay couple finally secure legal parentage through traditional surrogacy in the ACT?  In this episode of the Australian Family and Fertility Law Podcast, Australia's leading surrogacy lawyer Stephen Page breaks down a groundbreaking 2024 ACT Supreme Court case that's changing the game for intended parents across Australia.  What You'll Learn:  ⚖️ How the ACT's updated Parentage Act 2004 now recognizes traditional surrogacy  🌏 Why IVF location no longer restricts your parentage order options  📋 How transitional provisions helped a same-sex couple achieve legal recognition  👨‍👨‍👦 What this ruling means for LGBTQ+ families and surrogacy law Australia-wide  This is essential listening for anyone navigating surrogacy in Australia—whether you're an intended parent, surrogate, or legal professional wanting to understand these pivotal legislative changes.  Made by Law Firm Marketing Experts, Practice Proof

    5 min

  5. JAN 9

    What really happens inside the world's largest ethical surrogacy conference?

    Send us a text One of the World's leading surrogacy lawyers, Stephen Page takes you behind the scenes of the SEEDS (Society for Ethical Egg Donation and Surrogacy) conference in Orange County, California—and what he discovered challenged common assumptions about the surrogacy industry. In this episode of The Australian Family and Fertility Law Podcast, Stephen shares eye-opening insights from nearly 400 industry professionals, including: ✨ Why 75-80% of surrogacy professionals are women—many former surrogates and egg donors themselves ✨ How the industry is prioritizing ethical practices and single embryo transfers ✨ The real conversations happening around cross-border "hybrid" surrogacy arrangements ✨ Navigating cost, trafficking concerns, and reputational risks in international surrogacy Whether you're an intended parent exploring surrogacy options, a fertility professional, or simply curious about how ethical standards are shaping this growing field—this episode offers a rare, firsthand look at where the industry is heading. Made by Law Firm Marketing Experts, Practice Proof

    6 min

  6. 12/17/2025

    BREAKING: Another US Surrogacy Agency Collapses—Hundreds of Families Left Devastated

    Send us a text The surrogacy world is reeling. Surro Connections, a well-known American surrogacy agency, has collapsed overnight—leaving hundreds of intended parents stranded, life savings vanished, and dreams shattered. The FBI has raided their offices. Records have been shredded. And this isn't an isolated incident—it's the SECOND major surrogacy-related financial collapse in the United States THIS YEAR.  If you're considering surrogacy in the United States, or you're already on your journey, this is essential viewing. Your financial security and your path to parenthood could depend on understanding what went wrong and how to protect yourself.  Why This Matters to Every Intended Parent  In this powerful episode of the Australian Family and Fertility Law Podcast, World's leading surrogacy lawyer Stephen Page of Page Provan Family and Fertility Lawyers shares his expert analysis of the Surro Connections collapse. With nearly 20 years of experience helping Australians navigate surrogacy in the United States since 2008, Stephen reveals that he actually saw warning signs about this agency years ago—and actively steered his clients away from them. Something "didn't add up." It felt like "the magic pudding"—too good to be true.  The Disturbing Pattern of Surrogacy Fraud  This isn't the first time the surrogacy industry has been rocked by scandal, and Stephen takes us through the troubling history that every intended parent needs to understand How to Protect Yourself: Expert Guidance from Two Decades of Experience  Stephen has helped countless Australians successfully complete their surrogacy journeys in the United States without falling victim to fraud. In this video, he shares the critical lessons learned from nearly 20 years in this field:  ✅ Research is everything. If an agency seems too good to be true—with prices that seem impossibly low or promises that sound unrealistic—trust your instincts. The "magic pudding" doesn't exist.  ✅ Work with established, reputable agencies. If a lawyer who specializes in international surrogacy has never heard of an agency, that's a major warning sign. Either they've never worked with international clients, or something isn't right.  ✅ Understand the escrow system. Escrow is an unfamiliar concept to most Australians, but it's how funds are typically held in US surrogacy arrangements. You need a reputable, established escrow company—not just any company that claims to offer escrow services.  ✅ Consider lawyers with trust accounts. Some surrogacy lawyers in the US maintain their own trust accounts, which can offer additional security. These are rare, but they exist.  ✅ Get experienced legal guidance. Working with a lawyer who knows the US surrogacy landscape—who knows which agencies have solid track records and which raise red flags—can be the difference between a successful journey and financial devastation.  Made by Law Firm Marketing Experts, Practice Proof

    11 min

  7. 12/12/2025

    Queensland's IVF Legislation Crisis

    Send us a text ⚖️ RUSHED LAWS, REAL CONSEQUENCES: Queensland's IVF Legislation Crisis Explained  What happens when politicians prioritize election timelines over proper lawmaking? Queensland IVF patients found out the hard way when hastily enacted fertility laws left them unable to use their own stored sperm—and facing criminal penalties if clinics helped them.  In this must-listen episode of the Australian Family and Fertility Law Podcast, Australia's Best and Most Awarded Surrogacy Lawyer Stephen Page delivers a masterclass on legislative failure, patient advocacy, and the ongoing fight to fix Queensland's Assisted Reproductive Technology Act.   📋 WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE:  The Political Backstory Then-Health Minister Shannon Fentiman declared IVF regulation urgent in 2023—so urgent that stakeholders (including Stephen) received just 13 days to submit feedback on laws affecting thousands of Queensland families. The shortest consultation period Stephen has ever encountered.  The XTex Sperm Donor Crisis US-based sperm bank XTex supplied donor sperm to Monash IVF and Queensland Fertility Group. When new laws demanded specific contact details (email and mobile number) from donors—including for sperm already in storage—patients were suddenly told their fertility treatment was now illegal to continue.  The Separated Spouse Problem Under the Act's counseling requirements, IVF patients must attend counseling with their spouse. But what if you're separated? Still legally married but fleeing domestic violence? The law made no distinction—potentially denying treatment to vulnerable women or even criminalizing contact where protection orders exist.  The Amendment Bill (2025) Stephen breaks down the Health Legislation Amendment (No. 3) Bill 2025, explaining what it fixes, what it doesn't, and why he's giving evidence to Parliament the very next day.  Organ Donation Meets Sperm Retrieval A surprising but important intersection: when a man dies and is both an organ donor AND his widow wants posthumous sperm retrieval, who gets priority? Stephen shares a heartwarming initiative from Dr. Doug Blom at Caboolture Hospital that's now helping hospitals across Queensland navigate both processes seamlessly.   🎯 WHO SHOULD LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST:  ✔️ Anyone undergoing or considering IVF treatment in Queensland  ✔️ Fertility clinic staff navigating new compliance requirements  ✔️ Family lawyers advising clients on reproductive rights  ✔️ Policy analysts interested in legislative process failures  ✔️ Counselors working in assisted reproduction  ✔️ Medical professionals in organ donation and fertility services  ✔️ Anyone interested in how Australian health law actually works (or doesn't)   💡 KEY TAKEAWAYS:  1️⃣ Rushed legislation creates victims – Real patients lost access to their fertility treatment because lawmakers prioritized political timelines  2️⃣ Retrospective requirements cause chaos – Applying new rules to existing stored genetic material creates impossible compliance situations  3️⃣ Intersecting laws matter – State laws must comply with Commonwealth anti-discrimination protections  4️⃣ Cross-jurisdictional gaps persist – Birth, Deaths & Marriages registries still can't share information across states  5️⃣ Practical solutions come from frontline workers – Dr. Blom's hospital cheat sheet shows how grassroots innovation fills legislative gaps   📚 RELATED CASES Made by Law Firm Marketing Experts, Practice Proof

    11 min

  8. 12/05/2025

    Is the WA Surrogacy Act Unconstitutional?

    Send us a text A landmark case is currently before the Western Australian Supreme Court that could reshape surrogacy access for LGBTQ+ Australians and single men across the state.  In this episode of the Australian Family and Fertility Law Podcast, Australia's Best Surrogacy Lawyer, Stephen Page breaks down a groundbreaking legal challenge to Western Australia's discriminatory surrogacy laws. With over 2,000 surrogacy journeys advised since 1988, Stephen explains why this case matters and what it could mean for intended parents who've been locked out of legal surrogacy pathways.  In this podcast, you'll learn:  ⚖️ How the WA Surrogacy Act currently excludes gay couples, single men, trans, intersex & non-binary individuals  ⚖️ Why this may breach the Commonwealth Sex Discrimination Act  ⚖️ Three crucial precedent cases from Victoria & South Australia  ⚖️ What's happening with the new ART & Surrogacy Bill in WA Parliament  ⚖️ Why one gay couple isn't willing to wait 18 months for change Reach Stephen at www.pageprovan.com.au Made by Law Firm Marketing Experts, Practice Proof

    7 min
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Join Award-Winning Family & Surrogacy Lawyers, Bruce Provan and Stephen Page who interviews lawyers, doctors, counsellors, parents, surrogates, scientists, donors and others who are the moving parts bringing together the ability to form families through surrogacy, and when families fall apart. Interviewees talk about their personal journeys through life, leading to their passion in their respective fields.

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