IVF heartache as Labor botch leaves Qld families in limbo

Families have been left in limbo mid-treatment and IVF companies frozen in confusion since the introduction of new laws by the previous government, Queensland’s Health Minister claims.

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls. Picture: Liam Kidston

Families have been left in limbo in the middle of fertility treatments and IVF companies frozen in a state of confusion since the Queensland IVF laws were introduced last year by the Labor government, Health Minister Tim Nicholls claims.

The minister has told The Courier-Mail that his department was reviewing the Assisted Reproductive Technology Act 2024 to fix “major flaws”.

“Labor threw the industry in the deep end hoping it wouldn’t sink, without considering the hundreds of Queensland families who are relying on IVF to be their liferaft,” Mr Nicholls said.

And on the advice of the chief health officer Heidi Carroll, the Crisafulli government is deferring the next stage of the legislation for six months to allow proper consultation with relevant stakeholders.

“When it comes to helping families experience the miracle of life, we must ensure the IVF industry is well-regulated while also resolving the major issues created by Labor rushing through laws without adequate consultation,” he said.

Mr Nicholls claims Labor spent only two weeks on consultation.

At the recent health ministers forum in Melbourne Federal Health Minister Mark Butler called on every state to carry out a rapid review into the gaps in the industry. The Commonwealth is considering a national framework that would govern IVF operations across the country.

An Assisted Reproductive Technology Implementation Unit has been set up at the office of the CHO to consult with families and providers.

An IVF mix-up that resulted in a Brisbane woman giving birth to someone else’s baby after the wrong embryo was transferred at a Monash IVF clinic has highlighted the extreme human consequence of mistakes made in the juggernaut industry.

This case occurred before the introduction of the Queensland laws.

Nicholls’ office claims that since the Act became effective, just two weeks before the election, some providers paused treatments over confusion about whether they were operating legally.

Families have raised concerns about the clarification of a “family” in cases of separation; how eggs and sperm are collected and embryos created; and compliances for international donors.

“This is a sensible pause while government works to get the regulation right. Families deserve clarity and care and that starts with proper consultation.

“I’ve heard heartbreaking stories of families whose treatment has been stopped because the laws were rushed and the proper work wasn’t done, we’ll address the issues and deliver the protection Queenslanders need,” Mr Nicholls said.