States propose cloning and embryo stem cell research legislation

Following the passing of the federal 'cloning' bill, in December 2006, to allow the creation of embryos for embryo stem cell research, the state governments introduced similar legislation to mirror the federal law. Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, NSW and Queensland.

By April 2009, all states had considered such laws. All states except Western Australia passed the laws.

Overview
The federal legislation continues to ban reproductive cloning (ie leading to the birth of a baby from such processes) but allows the creation of embryos by SCNT (somatic cell nuclear transfer). The Bill was called "Prohibition of Human Cloning for Reproduction and the Regulation of Human Embryo Research Amendment Bill 2006".
The theory is that it takes genetic material from a donor and implants that into a donor egg from which the genetic material has been removed (leaving the outer 'shell' of the egg). After several days of the embryo developing it is killed when the stem cells are removed.

Since the process involves the creation and then the destruction of life we believe as Christians that the process is unethical and should not be allowed.

Adult stem cells have already been used to find over 70 cures and treatments whereas embryo stem cells have been used in NO treatments. Click here for the latest results and studies.

As part of the campaign we asked that people, as well as opposing the total bill in each case, also ask specifically that the use of eggs from aborted babies NOT be allowed and that hybrid animal-humans not be created.
The use of eggs from aborted babies was allowed in the federal law and is an abhorrent practice. The creation of animal-human hybrids was banned federally but the UK government is considering allowing such experimentation.

No Human Cloning
For more information see the website set up for the federal debate in 2006 -
Lots of really helpful information and articles!

Around the States:

South Australia
Several articles appeared in The Advertiser that the South Australian government was planning a similar bill. Eventually a Bill was drafted.
The South Australian House of Assembly debated and passed this legislation in October 2008.
SA is the last state to debate such laws. The Bill allowed the use of cloning to create embryos which are then destroyed to obtain their stem cells for use in research.

The Bill went to the Legislative Council in March 2009. The Council voted in favour of the Bill by 12 votes to 9 - see report.

Western Australia
The WA government introduced a bill very similar to Victoria's to allow cloning in early 2008. The Parliament then sat after 8 May 2007 and debated the Human Reproductive Technology Amendment Bill 2007.
The Bill is posted on the web. Click here.

The Catholic church is opposing this bill. Where are the other churches??????
Click here for ABC news item.
Media article: Therapeutic cloning bill introduced in WA, The West , 28th March 2007.

In November 2007 new research (Japan and USA) showed that it is now possible to obtain ethical stem cells from adult tissue that actually act in the same way as embryonic stem cells. THUS there is no need any more for embryonic stem cells.
Read a report in New Scientist .
Human skin 'reprogrammed' to form stem cells
20 November 2007.

Following that new development, Western Australia's Parliament voted AGAINST such cloning laws in May 2008! Read report - click here.

Tasmania
The House of Assembly passed the bill to allow cloning of embryos for research on 24 October 2007 by a vote of 15 to 9.
The Bill passed the Legislative Council on 14 November 2007.
Media:
Cloning Bill passes Tas Lower House
ABC, 24 Oct 2007.
The bill was expected to pass the Legislative Council, with estimates of voting given as 11 in favour to 3 against. It was adjourned to discuss amendments.

Cloning Bill passes Legislative Council
ABC , 14 Nov 2007.

Bills already passed:

Queensland
The Queensland Legislative Assembly passed a bill - the Research Involving Human Embryos and Prohibition of Human Cloning Amendment Bill 2007 - to allow cloning of embryos on 11 October 2007 by a vote of 48 to 34.
Click here for the Minister for Health's media statement.
Click here for the Bill.

Victoria
The Victorian government has PASSED a bill allowing the creation of embryos by 'therapeutic cloning' for embryonic stem cell research.
Health Minister Bronwyn Pike introduced the "INFERTILITY TREATMENT AMENDMENT BILL 2007" on 13 March 2007.
Click here for the Bill.
Click here for the revised Act following the passing of the Bill.
Legislative Assembly: The Bill had its second reading and was debated in the Legislative Assembly on 17 April. The Assembly passed the Bill 58 to 25. Proposed amendments - for example to BAN the use of eggs from aborted babies - were defeated.

Media Report of Legislative Assembly vote:
House supports cloning bill
The Age, April 19, 2007
The Catholic archbishop Denis Hart and the Anglican Archbishop have both spoke out strongly and urged the government not to pass the law.

Legislative Council
On 3 May 2007, the Legislative Council voted 23 to 16 to approve the Bill
Media Report:
Stem cell bill clears upper house
The Age, 4 May 2007.

New South Wales
The NSW Parliament has passed a bill to allow 'therapeutic cloning'.
Click here for the Parliament website on the Bill and its progress/vote. It was passed by the Legislative Assembly on 7 June 2007 and by the Legislative Council on 26 June 2007.