Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Hansard source

I'll start where I left off last night by acknowledging that the Mitochondrial Donation Law Reform (Maeve's Law) Bill 2021 does raise concerns for some senators and, on votes of conscience, when the colours of party are stripped away, we stand here as individuals and we bring our own perspective and our own life experience to the chamber. I come to this vote as someone who has spent years working in the disability sector, I come to this vote as someone who has spent eight years as a minister for health and I come to this vote as someone who has experienced the death of loved ones and the deep grief that follows. But mostly I come to this vote as a mum of three amazing children, and I have read the stories from parents about their experiences of dealing with and supporting and loving a child with mitochondrial disorder.

I do support this bill and I really hope that it passes the Senate this week. I acknowledge the minister for health for his pursuit of these reforms and my colleagues the former shadow minister for health Chris Bowen and current shadow minister for health and ageing, Mark Butler, for working together on this bill and working across the chamber to draft a bill that has the greatest opportunity of passing the parliament. Much gets achieved quietly across the chambers in this place and, when that happens, good things are often achieved. This bill is an example of that, and there should be more of it.

It has taken years to get to this point, but it's now time to pass Maeve's Law and give parents the chance to have a family without the stress and distress of passing on a life-threatening condition. If the bill passes, it will prevent the birth of children who would otherwise be severely challenged with disabilities and illness and whose parents and families would find themselves in the often heartbreaking situation of loving and caring for a child with significant health challenges.

I think anyone who's raised a child knows the joys that it brings to one's life and anyone who has longed for a child and been unable to have one knows the pain that that can bring. From my point of view, this bill isn't complex. It gives some Australian families the opportunity to experience the joy of having children without the worry of passing on mitochondrial disease. The bill uses improvements in health technology, science, health policy and ethics to map out a small but significant way of improving the lives of our fellow citizens. This is why I will be supporting this bill. I see it as my job as a legislator to use this position of power and influence to help make a better, more caring world. This bill helps to do that.

Thank you to everyone who has worked to get the bill to this point. I really hope we can pass the bill this week and give you all the certainty you've been seeking for years when Maeve's Law becomes the law.