The Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby (GLRL) are hoping that amendments to the Family Law Act that would recognise children of same-sex couples will be debated by cabinet members this week, based on the recommendations made by the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee’s inquiry report.

Emily Gray, GLRL co-convenor, told SX that the Lobby wrote to cabinet members and senators seeking for the bill to further recognise the non-biological lesbian mother of a child born through assisted reproductive technology as a ‘parent’ to bring federal law into line with most of the states and territories’ laws.

“It’s particularly important under federal law because of child support payments in the event of a relationship breakdown,” Gray said.

The Senate’s inquiry report, released last week, recommended that the parenting presumptions in the Family Law Act 1975 be amended to allow children of same-sex relationships to be recognised as a child of the relationship.

Meanwhile, Australian Coalition for Equality spokesperson Corey Irlam told SX that it is “heartening to see that conservative members of parliament support these changes,” referring to signaled support from conservatives like Shadow Attorney-General George Brandis.

Irlam also welcomed the support of Families Australia, an independent family advocacy organisation.

“We take the view that families are very diverse irrespective of their form,” Brian Babington, CEO of Families Australia told SX.

“They all deserve respect, we don’t make distinctions here.”

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