The motion noted the Red Cross Lifeblood's proposal to remove restrictions on gay plasma donation, but called for "continued progress towards the removal of the (whole)blood donation ban and the adoption of a system whereby all donors are assessed for their individual risk".
Let Us Give spokesperson, Benjamin Dudman, said,
"We congratulate Rainbow Labor for its initiative, welcome the support of Queensland's state Labor conference and call on other state and federal Labor conferences to follow Queendsland's lead."
"We are especially heartened the Queensland motion calls for Lifeblood and the Federal Government to go further than the current proposal for plasma-only donation."
"The plasma-only option will solve neither the problem of shortages of whole blood, nor the problem of discrimination."
"Assessing all donors for their individual risk is the policy adopted in an increasing number of countries including the UK, US and Canada, and it should be adopted in Australia as well."
A copy of the Queensland motion is attached.
For a copy of this statement on the web, click here
For more information contact Benjamin Dudman on 0447 935 137.