Why we were established

In May 1999, the then Minister for Health and Aged Care, the Hon. Dr Michael Wooldridge, established the Review of the Australian Blood Banking and Plasma Product Sector (The Stephen Review), chaired by Sir Ninian Stephen. The Stephen Review was conducted primarily in response to rapidly increasing costs, administrative inefficiencies and the lack of a national focus in the blood sector. The Review’s goal was to ensure that Australians continued to have ongoing access to a safe and secure supply of blood and blood products.

At that time there were over 30 agreements in existence between the various stakeholders, including governments, the Australian Red Cross Blood Service (ARCBS) and CSL Limited. In addition, supply costs had tripled between 1991 and 1999. This made Australia’s blood supply system fragmented with little leverage over escalating costs.

The Stephen Review was released in March 2001 and recommended the strengthening of the arrangements for the coordination and oversight of Australia’s blood supply, including the establishment of a national blood authority to manage Australia’s blood supply at a national level.

Negotiations to develop a national management framework commenced in June 2001 in consultation with the States, Territories and other key interest groups.

A National Blood Agreement was approved by the Australian Health Ministers’ Conference (AHMC) in November 2002 and was subsequently signed by Health Ministers. At that time an interim board was also appointed to advise the Australian Government Health Minister on the implementation of the new arrangements. A permanent Board was appointed under the Act in May 2003, chaired by the former Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer, Professor Richard Smallwood.

Commonwealth legislation allowing for the establishment of the NBA passed through both Houses of Parliament unopposed and the new Authority came into existence on 1 July 2003.

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