❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses the consultation process for proposed Assisted Reproductive Technology and Surrogacy Legislation, inquiring about cancelled forums, alternative consultations, stakeholder feedback opportunities, timelines, and consumer representation on the Ministerial Expert Panel.
AnsweredQoN 1004Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) I refer to the consultation on the proposed Assisted Reproductive Technology and Surrogacy Legislation conducted by the Ministerial Expert Panel and I ask? (2) Why was a planned public consultation forum in September cancelled? (3) What alternative consultation was conducted by the Ministerial Expert Panel? (4) How many written submissions were received by the Ministerial Expert Panel? (5) Will stakeholders be given further opportunity to provide feedback before the Ministerial Expert Panel reports to the Minister or before the Bill is presented to Parliament? (6) Can the Minister provide a timeline for the completion of the work of the Ministerial Expert Panel and when the legislation will be introduced to Parliament? (7) Why are there no consumer representatives on the Ministerial Expert Panel?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
15 November 2022
Responded by
Leader of the House representing the Minister for Health
Response time
9 days
(1) The public consultation forum, scheduled to be held on 13 September 2022 at the UWA Club, was cancelled because there was limited interest from members of the public and did not attract a response from consumers that would have made the forum viable.
(2) The Ministerial Expert Panel (MEP) conducted the following alternative consultation:
· A forum for Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) providers and researchers was held on 19 July 2022.
· A Public Discussion Paper was made available on the MEP webpage on the Department of Health website, with links emailed to stakeholders and advocacy groups. Feedback to the discussion paper was requested via email or post.
· A survey was developed specifically seeking feedback from stakeholders regarding donor conception matters.
· Members of the MEP met with WA fertility counsellors on 24 August 2022.
· Members of the MEP met with consumers and health professionals at Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service on 30 September 2022.
(3) The MEP received 42 written responses to the Public Discussion Paper and 268 people completed the Donor Conception Survey.
(4) The Minister for Health will determine what further consultation there will be prior to the proposed Bill(s) being presented to Parliament.
(5) The MEP will submit its final report with recommendations to the Minister for Health and complete its work by 31 December 2022. Work will then be undertaken by Department of Health staff to finalise policy before the Parliamentary Counsel's Office begins drafting the proposed Bill(s). It is anticipated that draft bill(s) will be introduced to Parliament in 2023.
(6) The Review of the Western Australian Human Reproductive Technology Act 1991 and the Surrogacy Act 2008 by Associate Professor Sonia Allan (Allan Review) was completed in 2019 following an extensive consultation with WA stakeholders, including consumers, members of the public, WA ART providers and researchers. The MEP was convened to undertake brief, targeted consultation for matters identified in the Government’s Response to the Allan Review that required further consideration. Where additional consultation was required, consumers were engaged directly by the MEP.
(2) The Ministerial Expert Panel (MEP) conducted the following alternative consultation:
· A forum for Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) providers and researchers was held on 19 July 2022.
· A Public Discussion Paper was made available on the MEP webpage on the Department of Health website, with links emailed to stakeholders and advocacy groups. Feedback to the discussion paper was requested via email or post.
· A survey was developed specifically seeking feedback from stakeholders regarding donor conception matters.
· Members of the MEP met with WA fertility counsellors on 24 August 2022.
· Members of the MEP met with consumers and health professionals at Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service on 30 September 2022.
(3) The MEP received 42 written responses to the Public Discussion Paper and 268 people completed the Donor Conception Survey.
(4) The Minister for Health will determine what further consultation there will be prior to the proposed Bill(s) being presented to Parliament.
(5) The MEP will submit its final report with recommendations to the Minister for Health and complete its work by 31 December 2022. Work will then be undertaken by Department of Health staff to finalise policy before the Parliamentary Counsel's Office begins drafting the proposed Bill(s). It is anticipated that draft bill(s) will be introduced to Parliament in 2023.
(6) The Review of the Western Australian Human Reproductive Technology Act 1991 and the Surrogacy Act 2008 by Associate Professor Sonia Allan (Allan Review) was completed in 2019 following an extensive consultation with WA stakeholders, including consumers, members of the public, WA ART providers and researchers. The MEP was convened to undertake brief, targeted consultation for matters identified in the Government’s Response to the Allan Review that required further consideration. Where additional consultation was required, consumers were engaged directly by the MEP.
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