Parents Can Change Co-Parent Designations on Birth Certificates
Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration (Birth Certificates) Amendment Bill 2026
Private Member's BillLegislative Council
House of Assembly
Assent
Previously introduced as:
Introduced by: Robert Simms MLC (GRN)
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
If this bill passes, it means that:
The Debate
What different members said when this bill was debated:
Hilton Gumbys ALP
“I rise to speak on the Birth, Deaths and Marriages Registration (Birth Certificates) Amendment Bill 2026 put forward by the Hon. Rob Simms and indicate the government will be supporting this bill.”
“I rise as the lead speaker for the opposition to speak on the Birth, Deaths and Marriages Registration (Birth Certificates) Amendment Bill 2026. At the outset, I want to make it very clear that our opposition to this bill is not about diminishing the love, commitment or care that any parent may provide to a child.”
Cory Bernardi PHON
“I am sure it will come as no surprise to the mover of this bill that One Nation will be opposing it. In associating myself with the, I thought, very dignified and eloquent comments from the Leader of the Opposition, I am a little surprised, to be perfectly honest, that the Liberal Party were so considered in this and I welcome that to the debate and I thank them for it.”
Justin Hanson ALP
“There seems to be some sort of conception here that a simple administrative change, if you like, can be a lot more complex than what it really is. I think that stretches credibility.”
Laura Henderson LIB
“I rise today to speak against the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration (Birth Certificates) Amendment Bill. I appreciate the desire to be recognised on your child’s birth certificate as mother or father rather than co-parent, but the reality is that a birth certificate is an official record of the birth of an individual.”
Ian Hunter ALP
“I did not intend to speak to this bill today but, quite frankly, I have been gobsmacked by some of the contributions made in this place.”
Robert Simms GRN
“I thank members for their contributions: the Hon. Mr Gumbys, the Hon. Nicola Centofanti, the Hon. Mr Bernardi, the Hon. Mr Hanson, the Hon. Ms Henderson and the Hon. Ian Hunter. In concluding this debate, I think the Hon. Ian Hunter has summed up my sentiments pretty nicely.”