Page 1088 - Week 04 - Thursday, 21 May 2020
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additional step. A direct request would also avoid potential privacy issues in sharing this information and facilitate the sensitive handling of confidential health information.
Finally, the government amendments would delay the commencement of the bill for a maximum of 12 months to allow Access Canberra to make necessary changes to its operations before accepting applications. The families of donors deserve an application process that is carefully designed and accords appropriate dignity to the deceased. The government is grateful to Ms Cheyne for her contribution in her first private member’s bill and appreciates the significance of the subject matter that the bill is addressing.
Tissue donors and their families make an invaluable contribution to our community and it is appropriate that this contribution is recognised and honoured. I think this is a moment to reflect on, also, the regular message we receive to encourage more Canberrans to sign up as donors if they feel personally comfortable with that, because each donation can make a very significant impact on somebody else’s life.
The government, the Greens and I support this bill. I will be moving the amendments shortly in the detail stage of the debate.
MS STEPHEN-SMITH (Kurrajong—Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, Minister for Children, Youth and Families and Minister for Health) (2.58): I rise today to speak in support of Ms Cheyne’s private member’s bill seeking to amend the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1997. In supporting the bill, I would also like to acknowledge the energy and commitment that Ms Cheyne makes in the organ and tissue donation policy space. Ms Cheyne has been a passionate advocate for and supporter of increasing the rates of organ and tissue donation. She regularly raises the issue with me, in my capacity as Minister for Health, and through her prolific social media and public presence. The Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration (Tissue Donor Acknowledgment) Amendment Bill 2020 is further evidence of Ms Cheyne’s commitment to this policy area and is based on her extensive engagement and consultation with the families and friends of organ and tissue donors.
Donating an organ or tissue is gifting someone another chance to be with their family and to continue contributing to society. It can change a life or it can save a life. In recognition of the importance of organ donation, Australian governments have been working collaboratively to endeavour to increase registrations on the organ donor register. Since 2009 there has been a doubling of organ donation registrations and there are almost twice as many people receiving transplants. This collaborative effort and focus by all governments has driven an increase in the number of registrations on the organ donor register and, resultantly, an increase in donations.
The ACT government actively participates in the national program to increase the donation registration through the Organ and Tissue Authority. Locally, we also support Gift of Life, which organises, among many other worthy activities, the annual DonateLife walk. Earlier this year, on 26 February, Ms Cheyne and I joined around 2,000 other Canberrans—back in the day when you could join 2,000 other Canberrans—on the 14th annual DonateLife walk to raise awareness of organ
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