BOTH lesbian mothers will be recognised on their child’s birth certificate — not just the woman who gives birth — under changes approved by Parliament’s Lower House.

Under current law, if the couple have not lived together for three or more years the mother who does not give birth cannot be named on the birth certificate.

The Family Relationships (Parentage Presumptions) Amendment Bill passed the Lower House in a conscience vote 29-12, garnering support from both sides of politics.

Attorney-General John Rau was supportive of the Bill’s intent but had put an amendment to make the change apply only to new cases.

However, this was defeated and the new law will apply retrospectively.

A change put by Labor MP Tom Kenyon ensured that the name of the child’s biological father would also be included on the birth certificate.

This provision will remain in place until a register of all parents involved in births through assisted reproductive technology is established. That issue is currently under review.

Mr Kenyon said it was important to record the biological history of a child for personal and medical reasons and to enable them to trace their family lineage.

Greens MLC Tammy Franks first introduced the Bill to the Upper House, where it passed last June.

“This Bill overcomes a very difficult situation where, federally, these couples are recognised as ‘de facto’, but because of this discriminatory three-year cohabitation rule, both co-parents were not able to be listed on their child’s birth certificate here in South Australia,” Ms Franks said.

The Bill was inspired by South Australian couple Sally Amazon and Elise Duffield.

Ms Duffield gave birth to a son, Tadhg, in 2014.

“The passage of this Bill has been a long time coming for children like Tadhg, who celebrated his first birthday without a birth certificate because Births, Deaths and Marriages demanded that his mothers prove they had lived together for three years before his conception,” Ms Franks said.

Having passed the Lower House with minor changes, the Bill must return to be rubber-stamped by the Upper House before becoming law.

Affected parents will then be able to apply to have birth certificates reissued.

SA Labor Senator Penny Wong, who has two daughters with partner Sophie Allouache, said the law brought South Australia “one step closer to ensuring our laws truly reflect the principle of equality”.

Rainbow Labor Co-Convenor Belinda Marsden said the change was about more than symbolism.

“Past discrimination has had daily impacts on families, complicating access to healthcare and

education, travel arrangements, and guardianship where the birth-mother has passed away,” she said.