Issues in the News

Australian Legislation:
Cloning and Stem Cell Legislation Review 2005-06

8-31 August 2006

Politicians open to stem cell debate

31 August 2006 - Costello shift on stem cell research
http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/costello-shift-on-stem-
cell-research/2006/08/30/1156816968095.html

Political language games criticised

27 August 2006

• Abbott attacked over stem cell stance
  http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/abbott-attacked-over-stem-
  cell-stance/2006/08/27/1156617202663.html
• Abbott 'scaremongering' on stem cells
  http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,20267938-1702,00.html

August 28, 2006

• Abbott accused of scaremongering
  http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/health-minister-accused
  -of-scaremongering/2006/08/27/1156617212264.html
• Abbott playing fast and loose with the truth
  http://www.theage.com.au/news/opinion/abbott-playing-fast-and-
  loose-with-the-truth/2006/08/27/1156617208750.html?page=2
• Abbott hit for 'scare' on cloning
  http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20270613
  -30417,00.html
• Abbott scaremongering, professor claims
  http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,20271892-
  24331,00.html

Lockhart Report is building political support

28 August 2006 - More MPs back therapeutic cloning
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/more-mps-back-cloning-
bill/2006/08/27/1156617213437.html

Not all MPs will support cloning bill

27 August 2006 - Ellison in 'no rush' over stem cell research
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200608/s1725177.htm

New stem cell method not permitted under current Australian law

25 August 2006

• Stem cell find may shift debate
  http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/stem-cell-find-may-shift-
  debate/2006/08/24/1156012675614.html
• US report raises temperature in stem cell debate
  http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/report-raises
  -stakes-in-stem-cell-debate/2006/08/24/1156012674184.html

24 August 2006 - Stem cell breakthrough can't be used here
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,20234821-
662,00.html

Stem cell debate creating political havoc

25 August 2006

• Either way, Abbott will lose
  http://www.theage.com.au/news/
  opinion/either-way-abbott-will-lose/2006/08/24/1156012673348.html
• Mad science or insane politics?
  http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/opinion/story/
  0,22049,20238759-5001031,00.html
• The cloning debate has already been had
  http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/
  0,20876,20240782-17301,00.html

Australian scientists reject 'new' stem cell method as outdated and irrelevant

24 August 2006

• Stem cell research raises new concerns
  http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2006/s1723442.htm
• Stem cell breakthrough can't be used here http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,20234821-662,00.html

25 August 2006- Stem cell backers discount research
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20244909-
2702,00.html

'New' stem cell method endorsed by politicians opposed to changes of stem cell legislation.

25 August 2006

• Abbott seizes on new stem cell method
  http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2006/s1724685.htm
• Stem cell research promising
  http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/
  0,22049,20247307-5006007,00.html

24 August 2006

• Lib Senator welcomes new stem cell research
  http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2006/s1722838.htm
• Joyce supportive of new stem cell research method http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2006/s1723182.htm

New stem cell method announced in US: an answer to the ethical dilemma, or false hope?

24 August 2006

• New US research reconfigures stem cell debate http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2006/s1723151.htm
• Scientist warns against jumping the gun on new stem cell research http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2006/s1723159.htm
• Joyce supportive of new stem cell research method http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2006/s1723182.htm
• Stem cell breakthrough 'not permitted'
  http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/Stem-cell-
  breakthrough-not-permitted/2006/08/24/1156012639681.html

Stott-Despoja holds forum to consult with Lockhart Review members, scientists, and stakeholders

24 August 2006

• Carr backs on stem-cell research
  http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/carr-backs-bill-on-
  stemcell-research/2006/08/23/1156012614381.html
• Democrats begin stem cell meeting
  http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/
  0%2C20867%2C20235579-601%2C00.html

Tony Abbott continues to draw out the debate on stem cell legislation

22 August 2006

• Stem cell bill worries Abbott
  http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/
  0%2C23739%2C20218079-5003419%2C00.html
• PM defends Abbott stance in divisive stem cell debate
  http://canberra.yourguide.com.au/detail.asp?class=news&subclass= general&story_id=503715&category=General&m=8&y=2006

Health Minister Tony Abbott inflames Australia's stem cell debate

21 August 2006
Abbott attacked on cloning claims http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20195718-
2702,00.html

20 August 2006

• Tony Abbott on the stem cell debate
  http://www.abc.net.au/insiders/content/2006/s1719258.htm
• Fears Abbott misleading stem cell debate
  http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200608/s1719370.htm

Liberal Senator to draft private member's bill based on Lockhart Review report

17 August 2006

• MPs welcome stem cell bill
  http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0%2C20867
  %2C20157167-1702%2C00.html
• Liberals to write own stem cell bill
  http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/liberals-to-write-
  own-stem-cell-bill/2006/08/16/1155407884262.html

16 August 2006

• Patterson to introduce Private Member's Bill on stem cell research http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2006/s1716699.htm
• Patterson to introduce stem cell Bill
  http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200608/s1716676.htm

Opinion piece explores the rights of women with regard to Australia's stem cell debate

17 August 2006 - Women overlooked in biotech debate http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20152285-
7583,00.html

PM to allow conscience vote on Australia's stem cell/cloning legislation; Natasha Stott-Despoja set to introduce private members bill

16 August 2006

• PM allows conscience vote on stem cell research
  http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2006/s1716062.htm
• Senator vows to force stem cell vote
  http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0%2C22049%
  2C20147165-5001028%2C00.htm
• PM opens door to clone research
  http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/pm-opens-door-to-
  clone-research/2006/08/15/1155407810202.html

15 August 2006

• PM forced into stem cell backdown
  http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/PM-tries-to-head-
  off-stem-cell-revolt/2006/08/15/1155407790236.html

Members of the Lockhart Review Committee for Australian stem cell and cloning legislation defend and explain their report

14 August 2006 - Greater morality at stake in decision on stem-cell research http://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/greater-
morality-at-stake-in-decision-on-stemcell-
research/2006/08/13/1155407666884.html

Don't like the answers in one review - so just get another that tells you what you want to hear!

13 August 2006 - Stem cell review 'won't be transparent'
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=121993

11 August 2006 - Stem cell science 'stifled' by MPs http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20088536-
30417,00.html

Australia's stem cell legislation: PM commits to party room discussion only, Chief Scientist and other Liberal MPs demanding conscience vote

13 August 2006

• Interview with John Howard - see page 7 [pdf 31kb]
• PM flags renewed stem cell debate
  http://www.news.com.au/story/0%2C23599%2C20111949-
  1702%2C00.html
• No need for stem cell research vote: PM
  http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200608/s1713754.htm
• Push to widen stem cell ban
  http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/push-to-widen-stem-
  cell-ban/2006/08/12/1154803145297.html
• 10 August 2006 - Stem cell scientist could address Cabinet http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20080412-
  29277,00.html

Poor future for stem cell research in Australia sees scientists leave

• 12 August 2006 - Stem cell scientist joins the exodus http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20098892-
  2702,00.html

Australia: Coalition party room discussion on stem cells still on the agenda, but some worried the democratic process is being side-stepped

9 August 2006 - Stem cells out of the spotlight http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/
0,20867,20061902-12332,00.html

8 August 2006

• Stott-Despoja proposes Private Members Bill on Stem cell research http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2006/s1709725.htm
• Scientists 'leaving over stem cell laws'
  http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/Scientists-leaving-over-
  stem-cell-laws/2006/08/08/1154802882722.html