Justine Elliot (Richmond, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Ageing) Share this | Hansard source

I am very pleased today to have the opportunity to sum up debate on the Australian Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation Authority Bill 2008. The Minister for Health and Ageing regrets that she is unable to be here herself to sum up on this very important debate due to prior public commitments.

As has been acknowledged during the debate, too many Australians have suffered or died while waiting for a life-saving transplant. Families have been devastated and the economic and social costs are growing. For too long Australia has lagged behind other countries in its organ donation rates despite widespread community support for organ donation. For too long the benefits of tissue transplantation and our need to do better in this area have taken a back seat. For too long there has been a lack of national leadership to address this problem. While this government is determined to emphasise health maintenance and disease prevention, it is inevitable that, as Australia’s population ages and more Australians are affected by lifestyle diseases such as obesity and diabetes, the demand for transplants will continue to grow.

Earlier this year at the Australia 2020 Summit, one of the key ideas put forward was the establishment of a national organ donation scheme. Building on this idea, the government have recognised that national leadership and a coordinated national system are required to significantly reduce our transplantation waiting lists. We have recognised that a significant injection of new funding is needed to harness the efforts and skills of our hospital staff and the sector and the strong community support for organ donation. The government have recognised that we need to take the proven practices of the world’s top-performing countries and apply them to Australia.

The bill before us is at the core of the government’s response. It establishes the Australian Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation Authority to build a new, best practice system. To realise the implementation of the government’s $151.1 million package of reforms, including $136.4 million in new funds, underpinning everything is a new national approach, spearheaded by the authority: nationally consistent processes and systems, in the local hospital; enhanced professional education; ongoing community awareness efforts that focus on the facts and encourage family discussion; sufficient resources in hospitals to maximise and measure the conversion of potential donors to actual transplants; a national approach to give the best support possible to the families of deceased donors; and national policies and protocols for consistent implementation throughout Australia. The new authority will work with states and territories, clinicians, consumers and the community sector to build this new system for Australia.

As noted when the bill was introduced, the rationale for the establishment of the authority, along with the various elements of the government’s reform package, is firmly grounded in best international and national practice. The experience of several compatible countries shows us that a coordinated and integrated approach followed by sustained effort is the only way to see real improvements in organ donation and transplantation rates. These lessons have informed this reform package and put us in the best possible position to achieve lasting, positive change for thousands of Australians and their families.

Also critical to lasting, positive change will be the ongoing support, focus and effort of all Australian governments and the organ and tissue donation and transplantation sector itself. To date, the Commonwealth has been delighted by the strong support of all governments and the sector, all of whom have recognised the significance of this reform package and the need to get on with the job of improving access to life-saving and transforming organ and tissue transplants.

I greatly appreciate the many heartfelt contributions of many members from both sides of the House to the debate on this bill. A number of speakers have contributed personal stories of how, in difficult circumstances, families have been extraordinarily generous in making the gift of organ and tissue donation. It has also been inspiring to learn of how many people’s lives have been transformed by this gift. In the light of the stories of these extraordinary families, it is important to highlight that the government’s reform package also includes $1.9 million for a national donor family support program. This will offer a coordinated, best practice approach to supporting the families of deceased donors, regardless of where they are located.

A division having been called in the House of Representatives—

This package will be underpinned by the principle that each family must be provided with respectful support which is responsive to the needs of that family, from the time when donation is being considered to when donation proceeds and thereafter. All families whose next of kin are identified as possible donors will be offered bereavement counselling, information and support at the time and ongoing contact and support, whether or not the potential donor proceeds to donation.

Before closing, I would like to thank all of those who have directly or indirectly been involved in the development of the reform package and this important legislation. Over the past year the Minister for Health and Ageing and the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and Ageing, Senator McLucas, have been fortunate to meet with many people involved in organ and tissue donation and transplantation, including clinicians, transplant recipients, support and advocacy groups and individuals who have made the difficult decision to proceed with the donation of their loved ones’ tissues and organs. The insights offered by all these people have helped us to identify the best means by which to improve the system.

Through this bill, along with the integrated package of reforms underpinning it, and through the generosity of individuals and families who make the ultimate gift, Australia will become a leader in best practice organ donation for transplantation. We hope to achieve a significant and lasting increase in the number of life-saving and transforming transplants for Australians.

Finally, I would like to make an appeal to my fellow members of parliament and all Australians. Please discuss organ and tissue donation with your family because it is your family who will make the critical choices if ever the day arrives when it might be your organs that can save the lives of others. If you are not on the organ donation list, please think about it and get your name onto it. It is an extraordinary gift by an individual and their family, made in very tragic circumstances. It is something we will support nationally through this bill before us today. I commend the bill to the House.

Question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.

Ordered that the bill be reported to the House without amendment.

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