EYE BANK OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA

The Hon. S.W. KEY (Ashford) (14:30): My question is directed to the Minister for Health and Ageing. Minister, could you please update the house on the important work carried out by the organ donation area, in particular the Eye Bank of South Australia and DonateLife awareness campaign?

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Minister for Health and Ageing, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister for Defence Industries, Minister for Veterans' Affairs) (14:30): Can I thank the member for Ashford for the question. Last night, I had the honour of attending an event marking 30 years of the Eye Bank of South Australia. The Eye Bank of South Australia has played a very important role in improving the quality of life of thousands of South Australians since it was established by Professor Doug Coster 30 years ago. At that time, it was the first of its kind in Australasia.

The Eye Bank was set up to reduce the shortage of eye tissue available for grafting and to shorten delays for patients requiring a corneal transplant. The Eye Bank collects more than 150 corneas each year from across the metropolitan Adelaide region, Fleurieu Peninsula and Mount Gambier for transplantation, and their work ensures that there is no waiting list for patients in need of a transplant. During its 30 years, the Eye Bank, together with the corneal transplant unit in the Department of Ophthalmology at Flinders Medical Centre, has been at the forefront of innovative research to help protect corneal grafts from rejection.

In many cases, patients who have lost all or some of their vision due to eye disease are again able to see. They are able to maintain their independence, continue to work, enjoy their hobbies and appreciate precious moments with their families and friends. None of this would be possible without the amazing gifts that are given by the donors and their families. Although corneal donation often comes at a time of great sadness, it is a selfless act that can greatly improve the lives of others.

The annual DonateLife Week awareness campaign was recently held from 24 February to 3 March. It was designed to prompt discussion about organ donation with our families, so we know each other's final wishes. I attended the campaign launch rose planting ceremony at the Gift of Life Garden in Bonython Park. It was a very moving event in honour of the contribution of many people who have saved and transformed lives and donor families and their friends. Their decision to make their loved one's wish count cannot be overstated. Can I pay tribute to the Hon. Julian Stefani for his part in establishing this garden.

DonateLife Week is designed to remind us of the importance of this gift. I have indicated my willingness to be an organ donor and urge all members who have not yet done so to consider this important decision. Last year, 354 Australians gave others the gift of life or a better quality of life through their donation of organs and tissues, and 29 of those generous people were South Australians. In terms of its population, the figures show South Australia to be a generous state.

During 2012, a further 15,000 South Australians registered their intent to become organ donors if their families were asked. Across Australia, there has been a steady increase in the organ donor rate. This means that life has been brought to more transplant recipients, but there is still much to be done.

The government has looked to increase donation and transplantation rates through the state's high quality intensive care, emergency, transplant and tissue typing facilities. Increasing community awareness is crucial to increasing the number of organ and tissue donors. I commend DonateLife and their community partners for their valuable work in this area.