Louise Pratt (WA, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Manufacturing) Share this | Hansard source

It's important to clarify in the context of this debate that the review that was done recently into the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator specifically found that they are not an appropriate body to oversee gene technology in people. That review recommended that the act be clarified so that people are not regulated under that act, which is what this legislation before us today does.

When we look at the ongoing ramifications of the Research Involving Human Embryos Act and reproductive technology, it's not correct to say that there is no further regulation than via the NHMRC. The states have handed back much of their powers that relate to gene technology to the federal gene technology regulator, but in the case of reproductive technology, the states retain that power when reproductive technology is rolled out and when it's implemented.

The NHMRC is, in and of itself, already limited in how far it can go before it reaches the next stage of clinical trials or rollout because it can't get to a clinic in the state of Western Australia, for example, until the state government there also makes laws through its parliament. Then it has a whole new set of ethical considerations with hospitals and providers that, again, it will do through its own state regimes. I think it's really important to put that on the record.