Tuesday, 22 February 2022

Petitions

Following petitions presented to the house:

Assisted reproductive treatment services

The Petition of certain citizens of the State of Victoria draws to the attention of the Legislative Council that that the Andrews Government’s decision to cancel IVF treatment for Victorian women was cruel, unreasonable and unnecessary.

Seeking IVF treatment is not a choice and stopping access to IVF treatment adversely impacts the mental health of women and their partners. Noting that for IVF and fertility treatment: any delay creates enormous physical and mental stress, it is a time sensitive process and suspending access is a breach of human rights.

The Premier, Victorian Minister for Health and Chief Health Officer should not be able to decide who can and cannot have a family in Victoria.

The petitioners therefore request that the Legislative Council call on the Government to guarantee that access to IVF and fertility treatments will not be interfered with in the future to ensure that the opportunity for women to have a child is not jeopardised.

By Ms BATH (Eastern Victoria) (40 signatures).

Laid on table.