Anyone in VIC done the police check required to continue or commence IVF post-July?

[sammiejam]

I think most of the medical conditions that lead to the need for AC could be concidered "a disability" . The definition under the law is:

"The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) defines a disabled person as someone who has a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his or her ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities."

I think for a woman, becoming pregnant is a normal day-to-day activity. (albeit a very special activity lol)
Forcing women who are unlucky enough to suffer a condition that prevents them carrying out that "normal activity" to undergo the indignity of submitting to criminal record and Child Protection checks is both absurd and disgusting.

[buliej]

Sammiejam - sounds to me like you are right - this triggers the DDA. I think that someone would be hard pressed to argue that getting pregnant is not a "normal" activity for a woman...maybe not every day of their life but I think it does fit into normal.

I couldn't agree with you more about how objectionable this is. Unfortunately, although one can pursue arguing about this, I think that most of us will also go ahead and order the check so as to not delay treatment. Not to say we can't argue at the same time, but I don't think the option of taking a moral stance while arguing with the powers that be is a real option...at least not for an old lady like me! A rock and a hard place I guess.

[sammiejam]

Until someone is actually turned away from having a cycle due to the checks, there is nothing to argue. I hope that the first person that this happens to decides to fight it via the HRC. People have won cases for lesser things!

Its just ridiculous! Where will they stop? Sterillising women in prison? That would only be "fair" under this legislation. (not really but thats essentially what they are doing. If you have committed certain crimes and happen to be infertile then OH-OH, sorry! No right to procreation for you!)

[Bengal]

It makes one wonder if there is a secret political coalition, plotting against, the fertility challenged women of Australia, first the safety net issue, and now this.

Are they trying to make IVF only available to a certain "class" of society ?

I cannot see this as something the individual clinics would be bringing in, as this would be detrimental to their existance, someone, some where is getting the ball rolling on these issues.

Where do these ideas come from, to pass a bill (?) don't you have to have fair and reasonable objections to even get this granted.

[buliej]

Definitely not supported by the clinics & I think they fought it when it was introduced.

I spent a while on the phone yesterday with the woman at Monash IVF who is in charge of this issue. They do not support this at all (they certainly don't need the headache, don't want the obligation, and don't want patients who are justifiably upset about having to go through this and possibly delay their cycle commencement...I do also think that they object on the same grounds that we all find this so problematic).

Keep in mind this was slipped (I am choosing the word slipped - I don't know who actually introduced this aspect and the negotiations surrounding it...in the US we have Congressional records which would have this info - do you have this here?) into the most recent Reproductive Act passed in Victoria (I can't remember the full name). From what I've read (and I've only read about it since learning of this check), the act actually contained a lot of good provisions (some helping gay couples and a few others that people were probably looking for for some time) - but some politician who obviously has "issues" with IVF seems to have been able to negotiate in this horrendous provision - and when the whole Act passed, this provision was passed too. I guess some people would argue that the overall benefits of the Act outweigh the negatives. I don't agree with this argument - there is no good reason for including such a discriminatory and outrageous provision.

[melbel]

Had a good chat with my Specialist at MIVF about this today and apparently it was a certain attorney general called Rob Hulls who was the one who pushed for this provision and his suggestion was that if you are wanting to voice your opinion to maybe direct it to him as he was the one who dug his heels in over this issue.....I am sure someone will be able to find his email addy for us!

[sammiejam]

Does the legislation extend to people who want to donate eggs and sperm? Surrogate mothers?

Or is it just the poor saps who actually suffer infertility?

OMG. I am just so bloody disgusted with this...

[melbel]

everyone Sammiejam.......

[princess melli]

I am in the process of filling this paperwork out too-it makes me so angry!!!!
Child protection?????? Anyone undertaking assisted reproduction clearly WANTS a child and deserves the same rights as those who conceive naturally.
These laws are insane and discrimintory!

22/08/2009-ICSI Boy

[beautiful_stars]

I think it is completely discriminatory for Victorian couples to have to undergo these police checks which is why I have picked the topic for my yr11 persuasive speech. I would be really grateful to anyone who could share their personal experiences and/or offer their opinion on the issue.
Thanks so much guys

[princess melli]

I think it is completely discriminatory for Victorian couples to have to undergo these police checks which is why I have picked the topic for my yr11 persuasive speech. I would be really grateful to anyone who could share their personal experiences and/or offer their opinion on the issue.
Thanks so much guys

I am available to give my opinion......
What a great issue to cover

[Persephone1]

Hi BS,

You might like to contact the Human Rights Legal Resource Centre. They've given legal advice on this issue and have lots of resources that might help. There's a possible court challenge that might be launched in the future from someone who has been effected - although I don't know any more details about that. The HRLRC might though.

Oh, and Hansard papers will have all the things that the politicians said about the Bill before it was passed. A lot of it was focussed on what the pollies thought of IVF access for lesbians and single mothers, but there is some in there talking about the police checks.

Good luck!

[beautiful_stars]

I am available to give my opinion......
What a great issue to cover

Hi PM!
It would be great if you could give me your opinion! Please do!
Thanks heaps!