Page 913 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 20 April 2021
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Recently, I reached out through my Facebook page to ask people about their feelings and thoughts surrounding organ donation. I heard from many people who supported organ donation, and none who did not. Some encouraged an opt-out system, which is used in other countries, such as Spain and Scotland, to increase donation rates. The advantage of an opt-out system is that it means that people who have never even thought about organ donation are automatically registered. However, opt-out systems are ethically complex, as they can be viewed as an infringement on an individual’s rights and do not allow for active consent.
Currently, in order to register to become an organ donor, a person in the ACT must register through the national Organ Donation Register and discuss their decision with their family. It is absolutely critical to talk to family members about organ and tissue donation because the family of the registered donors will be asked for their consent to donation, regardless of whether the person is registered, before it can proceed. The form is easy to fill in. I encourage all Canberrans to register and make sure you have that discussion with your family.
The low numbers of organ donation in the ACT are probably attributable to it simply not being a front-of-mind issue for people. Before 2012, Canberrans could register as organ donors while renewing their drivers licence. This process was phased out and replaced with the national Organ Donation Register. However, in Canberra, when you renew your licence online, there is a message reminding you to sign up to the register.
It is important to me that Canberrans are aware of the need to opt in and of how they can register. Organ donation registry in the ACT is too low and leaves many people waiting, suffering or, worse still, passing away from conditions that are curable through organ donation. I understand that some members of the community have reasons not to register, and I respect that decision. However, for those Canberrans who are not opposed to donating their organs but who simply may not be aware of the need to opt in and have the conversation with their family, please register today. Less than one minute of your time to register could save lives.
Youth—homelessness
MS VASSAROTTI (Kurrajong—Minister for the Environment, Minister for Heritage, Minister for Homelessness and Housing Services and Minister for Sustainable Building and Construction) (6.32): I rise this evening to talk about Youth Homelessness Matters Day. On an average night across Australia, there are approximately 27,000 young people between 12 and 24 who are without what we would consider a home. Children and young people make up two in five of all Australians who are homeless. These figures are devastating. The ACT Greens want a Canberra where all young people have somewhere safe to live and to thrive. Tomorrow is Youth Homelessness Matters Day, so I am taking this opportunity to discuss youth homelessness and acknowledge the dedicated work of the youth sector.
The most common type of youth homelessness is severe overcrowding. Young people may be in supported accommodation, couch surfing, living in boarding houses or sleeping rough. There are many reasons that a young person or child may become
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