Local Nationals Member for Wagin Terry Waldron and his Parliamentary colleagues signed onto the Australian Organ Donor Register and urged others to do the same and to speak to their families about their wishes.

“There are 1800 people waiting for donor tissues and organs across Australia,” Mr Waldron said. “At the moment, there are 650,000 Western Australians on the register, or 41 per cent of the population over the age of 16."

“Although this is encouraging, it would be great if more people signed the register and discussed their wishes with their families,” he said.

Last year 59 people donated their organs and tissues in WA.

Anyone over the age of 16 can register on the AODR by free call 1800 777 203, www.medicareaustralia.gov.au or visit a Medicare office and pick up a pamphlet or at Mr Waldron’s Narrogin Office.

The organs that can be donated for transplantation are heart, lungs, liver, kidneys and pancreas. The tissues that can be donated are cornea, bones and heart valves.