James Paterson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Cyber Security) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to speak on behalf of the coalition on the Australian Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation Authority Amendment (Disclosure of Information) Bill 2023. I am advised that the bill amends the Australian Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation Authority Act 2008 to allow the Australian Organ and Tissue Authority and DonateLife agencies, grant recipients and authorised family members to publish, disseminate or disclose information about deceased organ or tissue donors or recipients without breaching the law of a state or territory. The purpose of this bill is to broaden the disclosure of information provisions in the act which govern the OTA and DonateLife's obtaining of consent for information on donors or recipients to be used in community awareness and educational activities.

The coalition has always had a longstanding commitment to increasing the rates of organ donation in Australia to alleviate the suffering of those on organ transplant waiting lists. We understand that organ and tissue donation saves and transforms lives, and we are proud of our record in overseeing an increase in donors through various targeted investments while in government. Right now around 1,600 people in Australia are on the waitlist for a transplant, and wait times can be anywhere between six months and four years. Australia's rates have improved in recent years, particularly during our time in government, with donation rates doubling between 2009 and 2019. However, the coalition understands that it is critically important to ensure that we can continue to encourage more people to register as donors and make transplants more accessible for the Australians who need them. We also recognise that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant and unavoidable impact on this area, as it did in many areas of our health-care system. This saw Australia's donation and transplantation rates drop in 2020, following the emergence of COVID-19, which makes it more critical than ever to encourage donation in Australia and make up for this period of decreased accessibility. We want to work with the government towards a goal to increase our organ donation rate to make sure that everyone who needs one or would benefit from an organ or tissue donation can help with a donated organ.

It is important that all Australians are aware of our instant online registration. It takes only a minute and can make a lifetime of difference for up to 10 people. By offering to be organ donors, Australians are signing up to the possibility of giving someone the gift of life, and the importance of that cannot be understated. This is why we are so appreciative of the amazing work that the Organ and Tissue Authority's DonateLife does in improving this area in Australia. I would like to take the opportunity to recognise DonateLife for the work they do across the community, including with individuals and families affected by organ, eye or tissue donation and transformation. I acknowledge their work in collaboration with the DonateLife agency in each state and territory and the specialist donation medical, nursing and support staff who deliver the nationally consistent program. Their work in increasing the rates of donation and improving outcomes for Australians who acquire an organ or tissue transplant is critically important. Improvements in this area can literally change and save lives.

Considering this bill intends to support DonateLife and other agencies and the work they do in this area, we absolutely support the intention of these amendments. We acknowledge that this bill builds on the coalition's work to improve greater rates of organ and tissue donation in Australia; however, we do have concerns with the amount of time and consultation undertaken prior to the introduction of this bill, particularly in regard to the change of definitions contained in this bill. Time and time again, we are concerned by this government's refusal to allow for appropriate levels of consultation on their legislation and to follow proper process, so we have some questions we would like to tease out in the Senate committee process. The opposition will support the passage of this legislation through the House and we will take time to explore these reforms properly in the Senate.