The mother of a severely disabled teenager has told a senate hearing that her daughter will never be capable of making a fully informed decision about whether or not to be sterilised.

Louise Robbins is a full time carer for her 16-year-old daughter Eliza who suffers a degenerative neurological disease and has the mental capacity of a three-year-old.

Mrs Robbins says that there is no way her daughter would ever be able to a make a fully informed decision about sterilisation.

Mrs Robbins has told the inquiry that just as she makes every other decision about her daughter's care, she should have input into this one.

She says that sterilisation should be considered case by case by a tribunal, and not through legislation.