That this House recognises:

(1)   that many lives have been saved through the research and the use of organ and blood donations throughout Australia;

(2)   that one form of donation is cord blood from the umbilical cord and placenta, and that:

(a)   research has shown that this blood is a rich source of blood forming stem cells known as haematopoietic stem cells;

(b)   the use of these cells for transplantation to a sufferer of leukaemia, lymphoma, and some tumours, provides the best chance for a cure; and

(c)   recent research has established that umbilical cord blood stem cells can demonstrate plasticity, suggesting a role for them in the treatment of diseases such as diabetes, cerebral vascular disease, and Parkinson’s disease;

(3)   that the collection of umbilical cord blood cells for research and for processing is a safe and non-invasive procedure, and that this procedure does not involve the destruction of an embryo given that the umbilical cord and placenta are usually discarded as waste;

(4)   that the collection of umbilical cord blood is not available in all States and Territories or hospitals throughout Australia, and that:

(a)   the collection, processing and storage of umbilical cord blood requires specialised techniques by appropriately trained and accredited professionals; and

(b)   based on limitations on the collection centres that currently exist, not all permissions for donations given by women at existing collection centres results in the actual collection of the cord blood;

(5)   that the Federal Government already funds the Australian National Cord Blood Collection Network; and

(6)   the great work being done by the Australian National Cord Blood Collection Network, AusCord, the Australian national network of umbilical cord blood banks and cord blood collection centres.