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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 6 Hansard (18 June) . . Page.. 2092 ..
MR CORBELL
(continuing):The ACT would, of course, continue to provide cord blood units to the blood banks if requested, but the advice I have received from my department is that to date the ACT has not recently been asked to make further donations, because the cord blood banks already have sufficient donations in accordance with the national agreement.
Whilst I accept the sentiment and the intent behind Mr Smyth's motion, it is not consistent with the approach that has been adopted at a national level to address the collection of this very important resource. The national approach is one that facilitates the shared cost, across all the states and territories, of what is rightly recognised to be an expensive procedure, and the ACT both contributes to that network and contributes cord blood when requested to by the cord blood banks.
This is a well-meaning motion, whose sentiment the government strongly supports. However, I have circulated an amendment that acknowledges that the ACT government already assists the national cord blood collection network in this vital collection process and notes that ACT patients can already access umbilical cord blood as a result of the ACT being party to the national cord blood collection network.
Mr Smyth outlined quite well the medical benefits of using cord blood, and I won't repeat those at this hour of the evening. What I will say-given that the ACT is already contributing, as part of the national agreement; given that the estimated total national cost of the network is $20 million over four years and; given that all states and territories have agreed to this collective approach of pooling resources and making blood available in key collection centres and in three banks, in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane-is that the latter part of Mr Smyth's motion is not needed.
I commend the sentiment of the motion and, further, commend to members my amendment. I move the following amendment:
Omit all words after "abroad;", substitute
"notes that the ACT Government contributes to the National Cord Blood Collection Network to assist in this vital collection process;
further notes that ACT patients can access umbilical cord blood as a result of the ACT being party to the National Cord Blood Collection Network.".
MRS BURKE
(9.48): I rise today to support my colleague Mr Smyth in this very important motion. Canberra is often referred to as the clever, caring capital. What better way to enhance that reputation than by establishing the facilities in Canberra for the collection and storage of umbilical cord blood?Mr Speaker, I do not know about you, but I must admit that this is quite a new concept for me. I had heard of cord blood in the past, but I am no expert. This is a terrific suggestion and I, for one, hope that the minister embraces it. This would be a real positive for the ACT. I am uncertain about the amendment the minister raises, because I believe that it changes the whole feel of the original motion.
I believe in ensuring that we have the tools to treat those in our community who are sick. Mr Smyth was quite correct when he said that cancer is one of our biggest killers. I often wonder if we will ever find a cure for this debilitating disease, which takes so many of our loved ones, in so many different forms. With cord blood, we have a chance to ensure
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