Functions of the Council
The general functions of the Reproductive Technology Council are covered in section 14 of the Human Reproductive Technology Act 1991, and in effect set its Terms of Reference. Amendment of the Act in 1996 allowed the Council to grant extensions to permitted storage of embryos to the Council. Click here for further information.
Its functions are to:
- formulate and review a Code of Practice to govern the use of artificial fertilisation and storage procedures carried on by licensees;
- advise the Commissioner of Health on the suitability of applicants, and compliance of licensees with conditions of their licences;
- make sure that any research carried out by or on behalf of a licensee on eggs, sperm, or participants, has general or specific approval of Council;
- advise the Minister for Health on matters related to reproductive technology;
- encourage and facilitate research into the causes and prevention of all types of human infertility and on the social and public health implications of reproductive technology; and
- to promote informed public debate and education on these issues.
List of Members
Membership of the Council - 2007-2008
- Professor Con Michael, Chair (Nominee of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology)
- A/Professor Jim Cummins, (Nominee of the Minister for Health)
- Dr Brenda McGivern, (Nominee of the Law Society of WA)
- Professor Roger Hart, (Nominee of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of WA)
- Dr Joe Parkinson, (Nominee of the Minister for Health)
- Dr Beverly Petterson, (Nominee of the Minister for Health)
- Ms Patrice Wringe, (Nominee of the Health Consumers’ Council – Women’s Interest)
- Mr Peter Fox, (Nominee of Health Consumers’ Council)
- Dr Simon Clarke, (Nominee of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and. Gynaecologists)
- Ms Anne-Marie Loney (Nominee of the Department of Child Protection WA)
- Ms Jenny O’Callaghan ((ex officio member appointed by the Minister for Health as Executive Officer of Council)
- Dr Nyaree Jacobsen, (ex officio member appointed by the Minister for Health as Executive Officer of Council).
Deputy Members
- Rev. Brian Carey, (Nominee of the Minister for Health)
- Dr Angela Cooney, (Nominee of the Australian Medical Association)
- Ms Sue Midford, (Nominee of the Health Consumers' Council - Women's Interest)
- Dr Janet Hornbuckle, (Nominee of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and. Gynaecologists)
- Dr Peter Burton, (Nominee of Nominee of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of WA)
- Ms Jane Baker, (Nominee of Department of Child Protection WA)
- Dr David Miller, (Nominee of Minister for Health)
- Dr Katherine Sanders, (Nominee of Nominee of Minister for Health)
- Ms Justine Garbellini, (Nominee of Health Consumers’ Council)
- Ms Julie Panotidis, (Nominee of Law Society of WA)
- Mr Russ Milner, (ex officio member appointed by the Minister for Health as Deputy Executive Officer of Council)