Could Australia’s legal and policy frameworks be strengthened to better protect Australians from the risks of organ trafficking and organ transplant tourism?
This question will be discussed by the federal parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade at a public hearing in Canberra by the Human Rights Sub-Committee. The Chair of the Human Rights Sub-Committee, Mr Kevin Andrews MP, said the Sub-Committee welcomed the opportunity to meet with legal and medical experts to discuss measures to prevent organ trafficking in Australia and around the world.
"The Sub-Committee is concerned by reports that the worldwide demand for organ transplants is driving a growing black market in human organs," Mr Andrews said. "The Sub-Committee is particularly concerned that Australians may be placing themselves and others at significant risk by travelling overseas for organ transplants. The Sub-Committee looks forward to discussing what Australia could do to better address organ trafficking here and overseas."
The program for the hearing is available from the inquiry website.
