Plans to liberalise surrogacy laws criticised by UN

Plans to liberalise surrogacy laws criticised by UN

Author: ABC Australia September 9, 2026 Duration: 14:31
Australia’s Law Reform Commission is due to release its review of surrogacy laws this week.  Surrogacy advocates have lobbied hard to allow commercial or compensated surrogacy for women who bear children for couples who cannot, or choose not to, have a natural pregnancy.  But the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women is urging the federal government not to liberalise the laws.  Reem Alsalem says it will lead to the exploitation of poor women. She was in Australia recently and met the commission to put her case. GUEST: Reem Alsalim  is the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women

Produced by the ABC, The Religion and Ethics Report-Separate stories podcast digs into the complex and often unseen forces shaping our world. Each episode is a deep, standalone exploration of how belief, morality, and spiritual practice intersect with the headlines and the human stories behind them. We move beyond simple soundbites to present nuanced conversations and reported features that consider the ethical dimensions of power, the cultural impact of faith, and the personal search for meaning. You’ll hear from a diverse range of voices-theologians and philosophers, community leaders and activists, artists and everyday people-all contributing to a vital examination of contemporary life. This podcast doesn’t offer easy answers but instead provides the context and depth needed to understand the pivotal role of religion and ethics in Australian society and across the globe. It’s for anyone curious about the deeper currents driving conflict, compassion, and change in our communities. Tune in for thoughtful, independent journalism that treats these profound subjects with the seriousness and specificity they deserve.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The Religion and Ethics Report - Separate stories podcast
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