Parliamentary Committee to look at increasing organ donation
The Legislative Assembly’s Legal and Social Issues Committee (LSIC) has established an ‘Inquiry into increasing the number of registered organ and tissue donors’ which is accepting public submissions until Friday 19 May.
The Nationals Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, was recently appointed to the committee and outlined the terms of reference of the inquiry.
“Organ and tissue donating has the potential to change and save lives right across the state,” Ms Cleeland said.
“This inquiry will investigate our current system and the issues impacting it as well as the opportunities to improve donation rates in Victoria.
“Some nations have exceptionally high donor rates, and we will be looking across the globe to see what best practice models look like.”
Despite most Australians supporting organ and tissue donation, Ms Cleeland said only 36 per cent of people nationally and 23 per cent of people in Victoria are registered.
Victoria has the second lowest registration rate of all states and territories.
Last week Ms Cleeland was appointed Deputy Chair of the LSIC, with Member for Lara, Ella George, serving as Chair.
The number of organ donors and transplants in Australia decreased by 15 per cent during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ms Cleeland said this rose slightly in 2022, by 8 per cent for organ donors and 4 per cent for people who received transplants.
“This inquiry has the potential to help improve organ transplant outcomes, leading to more individuals being able to live healthier and longer lives – as a committee, that is what we hope to achieve,” Ms Cleeland said.
“Organ donation is a very important issue and I hope our final report on this can drive positive outcomes for Victorians.
“If you feel like you’ve got something to add to this inquiry, I encourage you to share your thoughts and make a public submission.”