2025-11-07
Supporting surrogacy reform and advocating for better transport planning, increased urban canopy cover and prison reform
By Hon Brad Pettitt, MLC
It’s been a huge month in Parliament, with debate finally beginning in the Upper House on the long-overdue Assisted Reproductive Technology and Surrogacy Bill 2025 ‒ a reform that’s been years in the making and one the Greens are proud to support.
These reforms modernise outdated laws so that all Western Australians, regardless of gender identity, sexuality, or family structure, have fair and equitable access to assisted reproductive technology and surrogacy.
This is a landmark moment for equality and compassion in WA. The changes will give LGBTQIA+ people, single parents, and couples equal opportunities to create families while ensuring strong safeguards for children and clear legal recognition of parenthood. It’s about recognising the diverse, loving families that already exist in our communities and bringing WA into line with the rest of the country.
The Greens have been at the forefront of this reform for years, working closely with advocates, families, and community organisations to make sure it delivers real inclusivity and justice. I’m also pleased that the Premier has agreed in principle to provide increased funding to LGBTQIA+ organisations supporting impacted families and young people during this transition.
Beyond surrogacy reform, I’ve continued to raise key issues across housing, climate, and justice.
I joined the Hon. Tim Clifford at the Housing Town Hall, where we heard directly from renters, advocates, and community members about WA’s housing crisis. The message was clear: we need more public and social housing, rent caps, and stronger tenant protections.
On planning and transport, I’ve been pushing the Government to turn the upcoming Fremantle Bridge closure into an opportunity for real investment in public transport, cycling, and walking infrastructure ‒ not another gridlock crisis.
A major focus of my recent work has been urban canopy cover. As our summers grow hotter, the loss of mature trees in our suburbs has become both an environmental and social justice issue. Many lower-income communities are now facing higher temperatures and poorer air quality due to reduced tree cover. I’ve been raising this in Parliament and meeting with councils and community groups to push for stronger targets and funding to protect existing trees and expand canopy cover. Trees are critical infrastructure – they cool our suburbs, clean the air, and make our neighbourhoods more liveable.
And finally, in justice, I’ve continued to highlight worsening conditions in our prisons and youth detention system, calling for real reform, transparency, and a shift toward rehabilitation over punishment.
October has been a month of progress and persistence ‒ from long-awaited reforms to everyday advocacy. Thank you to everyone who continues to show up, speak out, and demand a fairer, more compassionate Western Australia.
Header photo: Greens MPs and researchers at the Press Conference in the Fern Garden outside Parliament; from left: Hannah Fitch-Rabbitt (Research Officer for Brad Pettitt), Sophie McNeill, Jess Beckerling, Paul Hadfield-Jia (Gay Dads WA), Tim Clifford and Brad Pettitt.