An Australian state parliament has given reproductive donors control over who receives their sperm or eggs.

A New South Wales parliament bill gives donors the right to exclude recipients based on their religious or ethnic backgrounds, their sexual orientation and marital status.

It is believed the main purpose of the law is to make it easier for donor-conceived children to receive information about their donor parent.

Opposition MP‘s have called the law discriminatory and a bad precedent, saying it will undermine the idea that Australians don't discriminate against people because of their sexuality, marital status, race or religion.

Others have defended the Bill, by saying donors will be more likely to participate, knowing they can rule out certain people from receiving their sperm or eggs.