COMMITTEES

Senator ROBERTS (Queensland) (16:18): I move: (1) That the following matters be referred to the Community Affairs References Committee for inquiry and report by the first sitting day in 2027: (a) the scale and nature of, and the circumstances relating to the collection, testing and supply of blood infected with Hepatitis C and HIV that was administered to thousands of Australians in the 1970s, 80s and 90s, leading to thousands of injuries and deaths; (b) the adequacy of existing safeguards and safety measures taken by government agencies including the Commonwealth Serum Laboratories and the role of the Red Cross at the time when risks of contamination of the Factor VIII and Factor IX blood products were recognised, including the extent to which commercial considerations influenced decisions made by those agencies; (c) the failure to implement the most basic recommendations of the 2004 Community Affairs References Committee report, Hepatitis C and the blood supply in Australia, including the issue of an apology to the victims of the mass contamination and the need for one to be made; (d) the adequacy of government decision-making in response to the risks of contamination, including whether there was a lack of candour or openness in that response, and whether information was withheld or documents destroyed; (e) the impact on partners, children, parents and carers of those affected; (f) questions of responsibility and compensation arising from the matters referred to in paragraph (a); and (g) any other related matters.

(2) The committee, as part of the inquiry, consider hearing evidence at public hearings to ensure that survivors are able to share their stories, including those who received tainted blood products through both transfusions and other products for those with blood illnesses such as haemophilia.