The High Court of Australia has ruled 7-0 that single women are entitled to have access to In-Vitro Fertilisation treatments.
The decision upholds a Federal Court decision and is a comprehensive rejection of an appeal by the Catholic Church.
The case arose when Leesa Meldrum was denied IVF access under Victorian state law because of her single status. The Federal Court ruled in 2000 that the Victorian law was incompatible with the federal Sex Discrimination Act. The Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference appealed the decision to the High Court, after being granted a special fiat by the Attorney-General, Daryl Williams.
Meldrum was supported in her action by the Women’s Electoral Lobby.
The High Court judgement is shown below.
- Listen to Leesa Meldrum discuss her victory (4m)
- Womens’ Electoral Lobby
