" The Australian Stem Cell Centre (ASCC) has submitted its recommendations to the independent committee reviewing the Australian legislation governing the use of human embryos in research. The ASCC's submission makes a series of recommendations in support of the current regulatory framework and the ongoing requirement for Australian scientists to be able to apply for a licence to derive new human embryonic stem cells for use in research. "

"A ban on therapeutic stem cell research in NSW has been lifted after upper house MPs last night... 28 votes to 13. The NSW legislation mirrors a law passed by Federal Parliament in December and is similar to a bill passed by Victoria's Parliament in May"

"But [Pell's] boots-and-all view of Catholicism is not representative of the entire church and Brock's position, even if in conflict with direct church teaching, is a legitimate one in the broader church that is the Catholic faith."

"the NSW Legislative Assembly became the latest house of parliament to approve the ground-breaking technology with an overwhelming 65-26 conscience vote"

"2 of the state's highest-profile practising Catholics, the Premier, Morris Iemma, and his deputy, John Watkins, will defy the church's warnings that they face "consequences" in their religious lives to support a bill to expand stem cell research in NSW."

"But both the Anglican and Catholic churches are asking MPs to vote against the bill."

"If passed, the legislation would bring NSW in line with the Commonwealth, which overturned a ban on therapeutic cloning in December 2006."

"Premier Morris Iemma yesterday announced he would introduce a Bill which would allow scientists in NSW to obtain stem cells from embryos through SCNT. This is currently outlawed in NSW... which has prompted scientists to threaten to leave NSW"

"After a conscience vote in Federal Parliament gave the go-ahead for this research late last year, mirror legislation has to be passed by each state parliament before it passes into law. It is likely to pass the lower houses in the states, ..."

"The lower house in Victoria passed legislation to legalize therapeutic cloning, though opponents are hopeful that the bill will have a harder time gaining approval in the upper house."