Under a new proposal Western Australia could become the first state in Australia to introduce ‘opt-out’ organ donor laws. At present people need to opt in to be a part of national organ donor register. However, only 16 per cent of West Australians have signed to date. Under this proposal all West Australians will automatically donate their organs after they die unless they register their objection.
Health Minister Kim Hames has urged his department to prepare a discussion paper that will outline ways to introduce the opt-out system. When the paper is finished, legislation will be introduced in parliament. Premier Colin Barnett said in his statement that people would support the idea “in time.” He said, “I would urge all West Australians to think about giving that approval as part of their driver's license renewal…I've done it and I think many people, if they give it thought, will agree that in the tragedy of a loss of life, then there's a potential to save someone else's life.”
The proposal came up in March by National Party MP Vince Catania, Liberal MP Joe Francis and Labor MP Martin Whitely. They wanted to introduce a private members bill to parliament. But after discussions with the trio, the Health Minister agreed to a government-backed investigation.
About 1,700 Australians are waiting for an organ transplant. Australian Medical Association of WA spokesman Geoff Dobb said about 20 organ transplants from the deceased were done in WA each year. He urged caution with the new proposal. According to a Federal Government report organ donor rates were 25-30 per cent higher in countries with opt-out laws - countries such as Spain, Belgium, France and Sweden.
According to Mr Catania everyone over the age of 18 should be automatically put on a national register and struck off only if they indicated their objection on their driver's licence. “But the ultimate decision would still rest with relatives of the deceased…Obviously not everyone has a driver's licence so that's an issue that would have to be addressed,” he said.
Liberal Joe Francis also said that there were many Australians waiting for an organ. “It sounds cold, but organs are no good to you once you are dead…There is no greater gift than the gift of life and that is why I support an opt-out system,” he said.