Euthanasia in Victoria (or is that 'dying with dignity?")
June 2008
The killing of the very young (the pre-born) and the old and ill are both on the agenda in Victoria.
The government has already said it wants to pass legislation to legalise abortion - to kill babies. Now a private member's bill to allow doctors to help people kill themselves is being put to the Victorian Parliament.
We have reported previously that the Bill was initially proposed by Legislative Assembly member Liberal Ken Smith - the Bill is now being put into the Legislative Council by the Greens MP Colleen Hartland.
The Bill was to have been presented to parliament, with the Second Reading Speech on 28 May. Greens MP Colleen Hartland attempted to table the Bill on WED 28 May in the Legislative Council - however Democratic Labor Party MP Peter Kavanagh managed to have the Second reading Speech delayed. Hartland says that will occur in two weeks - probably 11 June 2008.
ACTION IS VITAL - PLEASE write to your SIX MPs TODAY! Details below!
Greens MP Colleen Hartland has released a Draft Exposure of her proposed Bill.
It is called the Medical Treatment (Physician Assisted Dying) Bill 2008.
The Draft Bill has been posted on the Greens website: 
(http://www.electedgreensvictoria.org.au/cmsfiles/file/080520%20PAD%20Bill%202008%20Exposure%20Draft.pdf)
Under the Bill, doctors would be allowed to assist a person die if they have a 'terminal illness' or incurable disease.
As well as defining a lot of the words used (that really don't define what is 'incurable' or what is 'suffering'!), the Bill specifically says this would not be called 'suicide'!
Ms Hartland held a Briefing at the Parliament last week - on 29 May - The other speaker at the forum was Neil Francis - President, Dying With Dignity Victoria.
This is the new, sanitised name for what was once called the 'Voluntary Euthanasia Society of Victoria'.
But 'Dying with Dignity' sounds nicer...
And 'Physician-Assisted Dying' sounds more appealing than suicide.
This organisation has been lobbying consistently for this legislation - DWDV surveyed all the MPs and candidates prior to the last state election - they posted their 'legislative charter' and survey results on their website:
(http://www.dwdv.org.au/Home.html)
Media Release - Greens Victoria - 28-05-2008
Delay will help supporters of Physician Assisted Dying
"Greens MLC Colleen Hartland is happy to wait another two weeks for the second reading of her Physician Assisted Dying bill. "The longer we wait, the more support we get", said Colleen Hartland...."
(http://www.vic.greens.org.au/news/add-or-edit-media-releases-2008/delay-will-help-supporters-of-physician-assisted-dying)
ACTION:
Victorians, PLEASE contact your SIX MPs - one Legislative Assembly - FIVE Legislative Council.
ESPECIALLY the FIVE in the Legislative Council!
Ask them to vote AGAINST this proposed Bill - the Medical Treatment (Physician Assisted Dying) Bill 2008.
Click here to get YOUR MP details - just type in your address
Media Reports:
MPs to debate Euthanasia Bill
Herald Sun, Article from: AAP - May 28, 2008.
“A PRIVATE members Bill to legalise euthanasia has been introduced in the Victorian Parliament.
Greens MP Colleen Hartland introduced the Bill in the upper house today, coinciding with a national push by Greens Leader Bob Brown to restore right-to-die laws in the Northern Territory.
Introducing the Bill, Ms Hartland said it would enable a "mentally competent adult person suffering intolerably from a terminal or advanced incurable illness to exercise their right to end their lives".
The Bill also provides protection for doctors who help patients die.
The Medical Treatment (Physician Assisted Dying) Bill will be formally tabled on June 11 after attempts for a second reading today were thwarted by Democratic Labor Party MP Peter Kavanagh.
The Bill is not not expected to be debated in the upper house until the end of next month.
If it makes it to the lower house there will be resistance, with Victorian Premier John Brumby today reiterating his opposition to euthanasia….”
Brumby not swayed by right-to-die proposal
The Age, May 29, 2008
"LEGISLATION giving terminally ill people the right to die with the assistance of a doctor is unlikely to win the backing of Premier John Brumby. ..."
Euthanasia bill stalled by DLP
ABC, Wed May 28, 2008
"Debate on a controversial euthanasia bill before the Victorian Parliament has been delayed by the Democratic Labor Party (DLP)...."
Bid for licence to kill
Sunday Herald Sun, Peter Rolfe, May 25, 2008
DOCTORS would be given a licence to kill under legislation to be introduced to Victorian Parliament.
Greens MP Colleen Hartland will introduce the controversial Physician-Assisted Dying Bill to the Upper House on Wednesday...."
Also posted on our website
(Mrs) Jenny Stokes
Research Director
SALT SHAKERS
PO Box 6049, Wantirna, Victoria, 3152
Ph (03) 9800 2855
Mobile: 0413 084 146
Email: jenny@saltshakers.org.au
Web: www.saltshakers.org.au
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