Mike Hitchen Unleashed: Darling, the gestational carrier is here, can you sign for delivery please?

I used to like Nicole Kidman, but that was a long time ago when, (1) she could act (2) she was a young woman without airs or pretentions. Both have long ceased to apply.

Perfectly timed to coincide with the Golden Globe Awards hosted by an alleged British comedian with one over rated TV show behind him, Nicole and her husband Keith announced they have taken delivery of a baby girl.

The statement released by the couple was extremely touching - if you happen to be as cold as ice that is.

""No words can adequately convey the incredible gratitude that we feel for everyone who was so supportive throughout this process, in particular our gestational carrier."

Pardon? Was that written by doting parents overcome with emotion, or by a lawyer slicker than a BP oil rig malfunction?

"No words can adequately convey..." They are right about that - none of the words in their statement adequately convey warmth, love or feeling. It's like thanking a courier driver for delivering an expensive fashion accessory.

Oh right - now I get it.

Perhaps Nicole and Keith should think carefully before commissioning any more gestational carriers, as it will soon be a crime for them to do so - punishable with up to two years in jail.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports -

The NSW's Surrogacy Act, which was passed in November but has not yet come into force, will impose penalties of two years' jail, a $110,000 fine, or both on parents who pay for a surrogate here or abroad to carry their child.

Commercial surrogacy is illegal in Australia. But under the new law, NSW residents face prosecution for using commercial surrogacy overseas.

"We do not support it here so why should we support it overseas?" the NSW Minister for Community Services, Linda Burney, asked in Parliament last year when she spoke in support of the bill.

"I believe the message this Parliament needs to send to all citizens is that commercial surrogacy - an act that commodifies women and children - is wrong, whether it takes place in Australia or another State or another country,"

That's what the soulless phrase, "gestational carrier" does - it commodifies women and children - another trophy to put on their mantelpiece, something we have seen all too often in the past.

Wherever you may be - be safe
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