Donor bill moves ahead

A National Party MP's bill to establish an organ donor register has the backing of the Government, which is developing legislation of its own.

Jackie Blue's Human Tissue (Organ Donation) Amendment Bill would create a voluntary register for people who want to donate their organs, and a donor's wishes could not be overturned by family members.

It passed its first reading in Parliament last night and has been sent to the health select committee for public submissions.