Euthanasia battle looming on three fronts

Australian Christian Lobby Media Release

15th October 2009

Euthanasia remains a critical issue across Australia, as the Greens attempt to pass bills to legalise physician-assisted suicide in three states – Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia.

The Tasmanian Joint Standing Committee on Community Development this week tabled in parliament its report into the Dying with Dignity Bill 2009. Although the report summarised the key ethical and moral positions in support of and in opposition to euthanasia, its primary focus was determining whether the bill was appropriately drafted and examining its espoused safeguards.

On these issues, the Committee unequivocally found: “That the Dying with Dignity Bill 2009, the subject of this inquiry in its current form does not provide an adequate or concise legislative framework to permit voluntary euthanasia/physician assisted suicide.”
The Committee left open the question of the efficacy of legalised euthanasia, but recommended the State invest greater resources towards palliative care, and educate people about alternative end of life care options such as ‘enduring guardianships’ and ‘advance directives’.

As the report was released, ACL issued a media statement asking the parliament to reject the bill by considering damning evidence given to the committee by Dr Philip Nitschke during the course of the inquiry. Dr Nitschke admitted to breaching the Northern Territory euthanasia law when in force in the mid 90s. The Tasmanian bill is an almost exact replica of the Northern Territory law.

Despite the Committee’s recommendations, and the failure of the similar Northern Territory law to safeguard the lives of vulnerable sick and elderly patients, Greens leader Nick McKim is still likely to send his euthanasia bill to a vote in the coming weeks. ACL will keep supporters posted on any developments.

A euthanasia bill is also expected to be voted on in the South Australian Upper House by the end of the month. Greens MLC Mark Parnell’s Consent to Medical Treatment and Palliative Care (Voluntary Euthanasia) Amendment Bill 2008 would, if passed, allow the direct killing by a doctor of any person who has “an illness, injury or other medical condition that irreversibly impairs the person's quality of life so that life has become intolerable to that person”.

This test is very subjective, and could conceivably include arthritis, or depression following the loss of a loved one. The bill also leaves it up to the treating doctor whether or not to refer the patient to a psychiatrist for an evaluation.

South Australian supporters are strongly urged to email their Legislative Councillors asking them to reject this reckless and dangerous bill because it gives doctors a licence to kill their patients, and because it makes death a response to a wide range of conditions, including minor disabilities.

Contact details are available by clicking here.

Meanwhile, the Greens are also about to introduce a voluntary euthanasia bill in the West Australian Parliament. A WA petition against euthanasia is available for download by clicking here.

Please ask your friends and family to sign it, and copy as many as you need.

Completed petitions should be returned to the office of the Honourable Nick Goiran, Unit 2, 714 Ranford Road, Southern River WA 6110.