Mitchell Marianoff and James Walker have been together for five years, but have been unable to start a family until now.
The university lecturer and future doctor crossed paths in Queensland, where they created a rich and dynamic life together. They decided to relocate to Western Australia last year.
“We both kind of restarted away from our own networks and really hit our stride,” Marianoff told 9news.com.au.
Health Minister Meredith Hammat said the changes have been a “long time coming”.
“For same-sex couples who aren’t yet both recognised as the legal parent of their own children, this reform is for you,” she said.
Hammat tabled the bill in parliament yesterday, prompting peak national and local LGBTIQ+ groups to urge the opposition to support the reforms.
“WA has some of the most outdated and discriminatory laws in the country,” Equality Australia chief executive Anna Brown said.
“There is more work to do, but this bill is a good first step, and it’s high time WA’s laws were brought into line with the rest of Australia.”
“This is a monumental day in Western Australia’s history,” Gay Dads WA’s Paul Hadfield-Jia said.
“We call on every member of parliament to stand up, support these changes and vote to pass this family-creating legislation into law.”
The bill is expected to go to the Liberal Party room next week for discussion.
