Rachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a)

acknowledges that:

(i)

there are approximately 60 000 donor conceived individuals in Australia and with advances in reproductive technology this number is likely to increase significantly,

(ii)

all children, including adopted children and children conceived by artificial forms of conception, have the right to know, as far as possible, who their genetic parents are, and

(iii)

not enabling donor conceived individuals to have access to information about their donors and half siblings is a violation of the human rights of donor conceived individuals as described in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Australia is a signatory; and

(b)

agrees that Australia should consider enshrining the rights of donor conceived individuals in national legislation and the need for a nationally-controlled donor registry, given that the vast majority of donor conceived people do not have access to proper family medical histories.

Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Alan Ferguson (SA, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for two minutes.

Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the Senate. The government recognises the importance of donor conceived persons accessing information about their genetic heritage. The government has asked the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General to develop a discussion paper on a national model for registration of donors in consultation with health and community service ministers. The regulation of artificial conception procedures and access to information about donors is a matter for the states and territories, and the government remains committed to working with the states and territories on this matter. The government does not consider that this issue directly engages any of the rights set out under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Question negatived.