Tuesday, 17 June 2025

Assisted reproductive treatment services

Rachel PAYNE (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (13:36): (944) My question is for Minister for Health in the other place. Only a few weeks ago we heard the shocking story of a Queensland patient who gave birth to a stranger’s child as a result of an incorrect embryo transfer, and now Monash IVF have admitted another error: a Victorian patient’s own embryo was transferred instead of their partner’s. The Fertility Society of Australia and New Zealand have been calling for a national reform approach to ensure uniform regulation of fertility care, including IVF. While I commend the minister for leading calls for the immediate implementation of a regulator, I understand that a national meeting of health ministers failed to reach a consensus on this proposal. So my question is: what else is the minister doing to push for the uniform regulation of IVF to be on the national agenda?

Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (13:36): I would be very happy to refer that question to the Minister for Health for a written response in accordance with the standing orders.

Rachel PAYNE (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (13:37): I thank the minister for referring my question on. By way of supplementary, I understand that the Victorian health regulator is currently investigating the incident in Victoria. Can the minister advise when this investigation will be completed and whether its findings will be publicly available?

Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (13:37): Thanks, Ms Payne. I will pass that supplementary on, and I am sure you will get a written response very soon.