Nigel Scullion (NT, Country Liberal Party, Minister for Indigenous Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the senator for the very important question. I understand that you and the office have had some discussions—I hope they were fruitful—with both representatives of Mr Hunt's office and the TGA. I understand there are a number of questions being considered and that we will be getting back to you on this matter.

Australia is not a dumping ground for therapeutic devices. That part of your question, I have to refute. I don't think that is the case, but I am more than happy to answer the other elements of your question. I think it is quite proper to point out the analogy of why is it that when my car looks like it might hurt me there is process under which there are mandatory legislative and regulatory requirements to ensure the owners of other cars are alerted? We do have a very important process under which the colleges of medical practice are informed about these matters, because it is actually their responsibility to ensure that doctors are required and mandated to report on a device or a failure of a device. The Chief Medical Officer has in fact written to that particular college, to the medical groups and to professional bodies to encourage them to consider the recommendations of the Senate inquiry into transvaginal mesh implants, which dealt with devices and the mandatory reporting more generally. (Time expired)