Gai Brodtmann (Canberra, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This week is DonateLife Week. Last Friday I attended its launch by the Governor-General at the National Library. The launch reminded me of the generosity of the 309 families who donated the organs of their loved ones last year, transforming the lives of 931 Australians.

The Governor-General launched the Book of Life, which includes the stories of many brave families who have been touched by organ and tissue donation and transplantation. The Governor-General also agreed to be the inaugural DonateLife Ambassador. Robyn Gough told the story of her daughter, Melody. Melody died on Christmas Eve in a car accident. Her family knew she wanted to be an organ donor and knew she had registered to be a donor. She saved the lives of three other Australians.

This week also marks the establishment of the Parliamentary Friends of Organ and Tissue Donation Group. My colleague the member for Brisbane and I have asked all members and senators to join this group. We have had a great response, so thank you very much.

The theme for the week is: any day is a good day to talk about organ donation. I encourage those in this parliament to take part in the DonateLife Walk at 6.45 am this Wednesday around the lake. I will see you at Regatta Point. Let us join the rest of Australia in talking about organ and tissue donation. I would love to see you at the walk on Wednesday.