Organ donor inquiry begins public hearings

By Georgia Tacey

Jun 20, 2023

Organ donors needed: lack of organ donors is one of the many issues being discussed at the hearings. Photo by PENNY STEPHENS

Public hearings as part the Legislative Assembly’s Legal and Social Issues Committee Inquiry into the number of registered organ and tissue donors started this week.

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State Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland hoped the inquiry would raise awareness of the issues surrounding organ donation.

Ms Cleeland, who is the committee deputy chair, met with Shepparton-based organ donor advocate Allan Turner ahead of the inquiry.

She said it was “clear that there remains a lot of issues with the current organ donor system”.

“We’ve received several submissions from people across Victoria and I’m glad that we’ll hear from the relevant stakeholders during the hearings this week,” she said.

“The consent rates have declined over the last year and it is important to see what can be done to increase those numbers.”

The inquiry aims to increase the number of registered organ and tissue donors.

The inquiry will also hear from stakeholders on different issues, focusing on the effectiveness of the current model, issues impacting donation rates and ways to improve the rates.

Submissions to the inquiry have been received from individuals, not-for-profits, professors, medical professionals, religious organisations, advocacy groups and hospitals.