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
