Human Tissue Bill
Third Reading
[Advance Copy - Subject to minor change before inclusion in Bound Volume.]
NATHAN GUY (National) : I will take just a brief call on the Human Tissue Bill before us this evening. It is hugely important to this country, and National will be supporting it. National members on the Health Committee did a lot of good work on the original member’s bill brought in by Jackie Blue.
The reason this legislation is very important is that there is a shortage of vital organs for donation. It is pretty hard to talk about people’s inner anatomy in detail but basically there is a shortage of organs, particularly kidneys, livers, and hearts. When people have been in an accident and are fighting for their lives, we need to ensure there are enough of those vital organs available for them. When one reads through this bill, it appears there is a shortage of them, and, unfortunately, this bill also does not capture the organ donor register issue. It is a very, very topical issue and I think that in time Parliament will have to revisit it.
National will support the Human Tissue Bill because it is of vital importance. I acknowledge the hard work of the Health Committee. This bill is very complex. I have just had a read through of it and those listening may not realise that it comprises 70 pages. I believe that this Parliament will need to address the organ donor register. It is one of the most important parts that are missing from this bill, and that is a challenge going forward.
