The member for Lara is encouraging people to consider becoming organ and tissue donors through the possible reintroduction of a donor status on driver’s licenses.
The Legislative Assembly Legal and Social Issues Committee tabled the ‘Register and Talk About It’ report with the Legislative Assembly on March 20, promoting more donor registrations through awareness.
As the committee chair, Ella George said she hoped the state government would reintroduce the option to register for organ and tissue donation when applying for or renewing a driver’s license.
“It’s so important that people both register and have a conversation with their family about their donation wishes,” she said.
“We know that will significantly increase the likelihood that a family will consent to a donation going ahead… as it can be incredibly confronting to be asked to consent to a loved one becoming a donor.
“But we learned that many families find the strength at a time of intense sadness to recognise that they can help others.
“Educating young people is vital, and we need to increase awareness so more young people register to become a donor and share their donation wishes with family.
“This will help make Victorians better prepared should they ever be asked to provide consent to donation for a loved one.”
The report made 74 findings and 41 recommendations, including encouraging registrations through improved accessibility and awareness of the Australian Organ Donor Register (AODR).
Building awareness and discussion opportunities about donation among young Victorians aged 16 to 25 was listed as a key opportunity, with 10 per cent registering a donation decision on AODR.
Visit parliament.vic.gov.au/lsic-la for the report, summary booklet, and more information about the committee and organ and tissue donations.
