Michael McCormack (Riverina, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

At the National Party's federal council in Canberra on Saturday a motion was passed that organ donation laws be changed from requiring written approval via organ donation registration to an opt-out system following, and complemented by, a strong community wide education campaign. The mover of this motion was Dominic Hopkinson of the Wagga Wagga Young Nationals. As the New South Wales chairman, Niall Blair MLC, said this has started the conversation. In 2012, 354 organ donors gave 1,052 Australians a new chance at life. There are currently 1,600 people in Australia requiring an organ transplant. Do not take your organs to heaven because heaven knows we need them here: that was the message spelled out loud and clear. Even though I realise there will be cultural, religious and ethical issues, it was a good motion and a very good debate. I am pleased that it passed because certainly we need more organs donated for those people here who need them and particularly in rural and regional areas.

See this speech in context