13 March 2024

Chris Steel welcomes baby daughter

| Ian Bushnell

ACT Government Minister Chris Steel. Photo: Ian Bushnell.

ACT Government Minister Chris Steel has become a parent with his partner Kurtis, announcing the birth of a baby girl on Facebook.

“Welcome to the world Maeve. Our hearts are full of love for our little daughter born yesterday,” Mr Steel posted today.

The openly gay Minister and his partner had the baby through an altruistic surrogacy arrangement.

The photo of baby Maeve’s foot posted on Mr Steel’s Facebook page.

Mr Steel, 37, took leave at the end of last month after a flurry of announcements.

“I am off on some parental leave,” he posted today. “My office continues to be open with my colleagues acting in my portfolios.”

Altruistic surrogacy is becoming increasingly popular for gay couples who wish to be parents, with one partner being the biological father.

It is preferred over adoption because it offers gay couples biological connections and fewer bureaucratic hurdles.

Mr Steel was elected to the Legislative Assembly in 2016 and became a Minister in 2018.

He holds the key Planning and Transport portfolios, among others.

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