Ms VAGHELA (Western Metropolitan): My constituency question is directed to the Minister for Health and Minister for Ambulance Services, the Honourable Jenny Mikakos, MP. My question to the minister relates to her portfolio of responsibilities of health. The Andrews Labor government will make assisted reproductive treatment fairer, more affordable and easier to access for all Victorians as part of once-in-a-generation reforms. These reforms will change so many lives. We made the promise to make sure more Victorians can become a parent through IVF without the high costs, and we are delivering it through public IVF services, which are bulk-billed and subsidised for low-income Victorians. They have an opportunity to start a family without big bills or discrimination. My question to the minister is: can the minister give me an update on how she will ensure that IVF in Victoria is safe and accessible for all who need it, including my constituents in Western Metropolitan Region?
RESPONSE:
Ms MIKAKOS (Northern Metropolitan—Minister for Health, Minister for Ambulance Services) (17 October 2019): I am informed that: The Andrews Labor Government is committed to investing $32 million to establish public IVF services in Victoria, bulk-billed and subsidised for low income Victorians, to ensure more Victorians can become a parent through IVF, without the high costs. Last year, the Labor Government appointed Mr Michael Gorton AM to undertake a 12-month independent review of the Victorian regulatory framework for assisted reproductive treatment. The Review’s Final Report was released in July 2019. The Final Report contains 80 wide-ranging and comprehensive recommendations. Amongst other things, it has recommended the support of a public assisted reproductive technology service. The Government is now considering these recommendations and the implementation of its commitment to public IVF services. As this will be a new model of service provision, there are a range of options and complex issues to be considered to ensure that the best possible service is developed. This process is expected to commence later this year and to take at least 12 months to finalise after that process is complete. Services are expected to be made available after the model for the service is determined and alt appropriate processes are in place. I commend the member for her commitment to ensuring her constituents in the Western Metropolitan Region, and across Victoria, receive access to safe and accessible IVF services in Victoria.