The Patent Amendment (Human Genes and Biological Materials) Bill 2010 was tabled and supported in Federal Parliament in November 2010 by House of Representatives members Peter Dutton, John Forrest, Rob Oakeshott and Malcolm Turnbull, and in the Senate by Senators Coonan, Heffernan, Siewert and Xenophon. Cancer Council Australia commends these parliamentarians for supporting changes to patent law aimed at protecting human biological material from commercial monopolies, particularly as its use relates to competitive medical research and equitable access to diagnostic tests.
Cancer Council Australia and COSA support the intent of the bill, while noting that changes in its wording may be required. Our position is outlined in this submission.