Counselling Committee
Terms of Reference
In relation to counselling:
- establishing standards for approval of counsellors as "approved counsellors", as required by the Code of Practice or directions of Human Reproductive Technology Act (1991) for counselling within licensed clinics, and for counselling services available in the community;
- recommending to the Reproductive Technology Council (Council) those counsellors deemed suitable for Council approval or interim approval, and reconsidering those referred back to the Committee by the Council for further information;
- monitoring and reviewing of the work of any approved counsellor;
- convening training programs for counsellors if required;
- establishing a process whereby counsellors may have approval withdrawn or may appeal a Council decision;
- reporting annually as required by Council for its annual report to the Commissioner of Health, including information on its own activities and information reported to it by Approved Counsellors;
- advising and assisting the Council on matters relating to consultation with relevant bodies in the community and the promotion of informed public debate in the community on issues relating to reproductive technology;
- advising the Council on matters relating to access to information held on the IVF and Donor Registers; and
- advising the Council on psychosocial matters relating to reproductive technology as the Council may request.
Membership as at March 2008
- Ms Suzanne Midford (Chair)
- Mr Peter Fox
- Ms Iolanda Rodino
- Ms Patrice Wringe
- Ms Jenny O’Callaghan (ex officio)
- Dr Nyaree Jacobsen (ex officio)
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Embryo Storage Committee
Terms of Reference
With the agreement of the Minister for Health as required under s (10)(4) of the Human Reproductive Technology Act 1991 (Act), the Reproductive Technology Council (Council), by resolution under s 11(1) of the Act, may delegate this Committee to:
- make decisions on applications for extension of the periods of storage of embryos on a case by case basis, based on the criteria agreed to by the Council, and to provide to the next meeting of Council details of all decisions made since the previous meeting; and
- provide other advice or carry out other functions relating to the storage of embryos, as instructed by the Council.
Membership as at March 2008
- Rev Brian Carey (Chair)
- Dr Brenda McGivern
- Ms Sue Midford
- Ms Patrice Wringe
- Ms Jenny O’Callaghan (ex officio)
- Dr Nyaree Jacobsen (ex officio)
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Licensing and Administration Advisory Committee
Terms of Reference
- Advise the Reproductive Technology Council (Council) on matters relating to licensing under the Human Reproductive Technology Act 1991 (Act), including the suitability of any applicant and the conditions that should be imposed on any licence.
- Advise the Council generally as to the administration and enforcement of the Act, particularly disciplinary matters.
- Advise the Council as to suitable standards to be set under the Act, including clinical standards.
- Advise the Council on any other matters relating to licensing, administration and enforcement of the Act.
Membership as at March 2008
- Prof Con Michael (Chair)
- Dr Angela Cooney
- Ms Leonie Forrest
- Dr Roger Hart
- Dr Phillip Matson
- Ms Jenny O’Callaghan (ex officio)
- Dr Nyaree Jacobsen (ex officio)
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PGD (Implementation) Technical Advisory Committee
Membership as at March 2008
- Dr Bev Petterson (Chair)
- Dr Stephen Junk
- Dr Ashleigh Murch
- Dr Sharron Townshend
- Dr Sandra Webb
- Ms Jenny O’Callaghan (ex officio)
- Dr Nyaree Jacobsen (ex officio)
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Scientific Advisory Committee
Terms of Reference
With the agreement of the Minister for Health as required under (10)(4) of the Human Reproductive Technology Act 1991 (Act) this Committee may provide the Reproductive Technology Council (Council) with scientific advice in relation to:
- any project of research;
- embryo diagnostic procedure; or
- innovative practice, for which the specific approval of the Council is (or may be)
- sought;
The review of the Act which is to be carried out as soon as practicable after the expiry of 5 years from its commencement; and any other matter as instructed by the Council.
Membership as at March 2008
- A/Prof Jim Cummins (Chair)
- Dr Roger Hart
- Dr Joe Parkinson
- Dr Beverly Petterson
- Dr Phillip Matson
- Dr Sandra Webb
- Ms Jenny O’Callaghan (ex officio)
- Dr Nyaree Jacobsen (ex officio)