Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Northern Australia) Share this | Hansard source

I would like to speak against this amendment. With the greatest of respect to my colleague Senator O'Neill, we have different views on this subject. This amendment would change the definition of 'gene technology' to include mitochondrial donation. This would, in practice, require the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator to become involved in the regulation of mitochondrial donation. In my view, this is an unnecessary additional step. It would duplicate and confuse matters, given the expertise and responsibilities that already sit with the NHMRC Embryo Research Licensing Committee.

For those who are unaware, the NHMRC Embryo Research Licensing Committee was established in 2002 and is responsible for overseeing the Research Involving Human Embryos Act 2002 and the Prohibition of Human Cloning for Reproduction Act 2002. These are the two laws which Maeve's Law seeks to amend. As such, the committee: considers application for licences to conduct research involving human embryos; issues those licences or chooses not to issue those licences; monitors activities covered by those licences; and carries out other related activities, such as reporting to parliament and maintaining information. Membership of this committee comprises individuals with expertise in research ethics, assisted reproductive technology, law, embryology and the regulation of assisted reproductive technology. Given both the responsibility of this principal committee for the relevant legislation and its expertise in the relevant law and scientific fields, in my view, it is the most appropriate and qualified group within Australia to oversee the licensing regime outlined within Maeve's Law.

As I say, I understand where Senator O'Neill is coming from on this, but, in my view, the existing committee that operates under the NHMRC umbrella is the appropriate body to do this work. It already does this type of work. There's no need to add a further regulatory body to this system.