Page 1092 - Week 04 - Thursday, 21 May 2020
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In Victoria it fell over, I believe, because that government looked at it too narrowly. There are genuine issues relating to the very strict privacy of health records and the obligations of health professionals in managing those records, particularly as they relate to organ donation. I understand why the Victorian government was apprehensive about pursuing this and, indeed, believed it could not. However, with a bit of lateral thinking and with the support of donor families and the drafting office, I have been able to approach this from another angle. With the agency behind this resting entirely with the family, the issue that halted Victoria’s consideration has, I believe, been avoided.
I want to thank all of those who have viewed, reviewed and scrutinised the bill in the spirit in which it was intended, including those who have had to consider it from a public policy and implementation perspective, and with the practical lens that has been applied at each stage. It is because of this collective attitude that we are making history in the ACT today. I know donor families across the country, like Penny, are hopeful that this legislation might serve as a template for other states and territories to follow suit.
I have been overwhelmed by the generosity of families, advocates and experts who have shared their expertise, knowledge and, in some cases, their very personal experiences with me. My thanks go to Penny Mitchell, Leanne Campbell, Marjorie and Michael Taylor, Helen Day, Mel Bezear and others. My thanks go to the Gift of Life board, especially David O’Leary and former member Genevieve Jacobs. I thank Donor Families Australia, especially Bruce McDowell, and Professor Holly Northam, who was unfailingly generous and responsive with her time and expertise. I thank Mary Toohey and the scrutiny committee. As I said in my presentation speech, legislation is hard, and this has been drafted with a very small team. We are grateful to have had the expertise provided by the drafting office and the scrutiny committee.
My sincere thanks go to Minister Rattenbury, his office and the directorate that sits behind them, who have worked on providing these very sensible amendments. I thank the Chief Minister and his office and the health minister and her office for their support from the outset, when I first came knocking on their door well over six months ago. Thanks very much to the opposition for their support and, again, for the openness with which they have approached this.
I thank my colleagues for the priority it has been given in being able to be debated and, it seems, passed today. I thank my superb staff, Emma, Nick and Jemma. You know how much work you do and how much that means to me. I thank all of those who have recognised that this is good legislation that is worth supporting.
It is an honour to bring forward my first piece of legislation in this place, on an issue that I am so passionate about, that has tripartisan support and that will be an Australian first. But the greatest honour has been to give a voice to Australian donor families in this place. I say to the donor families: this is for you; most importantly, this is for the donors, past and future, who you love so much and to whom we as individuals and as a society owe so much. I commend the bill and the proposed amendments to the Assembly.
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