The Australian state of Queensland is proposing a new law that would recognise both same-sex partners as parents on the birth certs of children over whom they have custody.

The new law, which is also set to allow same-sex partners to adopt children through surrogacy, will amend the Status of Children Act 1978 to provide that where two women decide to have a child together, both women are legally recognised as the child’s parents and both are listed on the child’s birth certificate.

Premier Anna Bligh, one of two vice-presidents of the Australian Labour Party, indicated that, “The core issue is that female same-sex couples may become parents without a surrogate – through artificial insemination or IVF – and it is important to also give these children legal certainty.”

“All Queenslanders, including same-sex couples, will be able engage in surrogacy arrangements and to be legally recognised as the parents on the child’s birth certificate.” Potential adoptive parents will be able to apply to the courts to transfer the legal parentage of a child from the birth parents to themselves.

“We are taking these steps because we believe that everyone – no matter their sexual status or their gender – should be afforded the privilege of parenthood.”

She admitted that the proposal may present some with a “moral dilemma” but urged such people to put aside their objections and focus on the needs of children.

Attorney-General Cameron Dick said that the decision had been made on the basis of the best interests of children. “We want each child to enjoy the same status and legal protection, irrespective of the circumstances of birth or the status of his or her parents,” he said. Commercial surrogacy will continue to be illegal as will advertising for surrogacy births.

Opponents, however, say the interests of children that are being threatened by a proposal that will “turn children into commodities to fulfil the desires of adults”. The Australian Christian Lobby has said it will lobby heavily against the measure.

Conservative politicians have also vowed to defeat the new law in a conscience vote. Liberal National Party leader John-Paul Langbroek called on Bligh to separate the legalisation of altruistic surrogacy from extending access to homosexuals. “I am confident that in its current form, this will be defeated along conscience lines,” Langbroek said.