More Euthanasia Legislation

On Thursday the 29th of September the debate on the key bill in the Lower House of the SA parliament continued.

Steph Key MP was expected to table some amendments to her own bill. However, this did not eventuate. Instead, she deferred to a set of amendments tabled by the Member for Morialta, John Gardner MP.Gardner’s amendments require the written opinion of two medical specialists; one with experience in the particular illness; the other in mental health. If it were not clear enough already that this bill had a clear euthanasia and assisted suicide component then Gardner’s amendments, which passed on the voices, should have put this beyond doubt.

Yet, when the Member for Light, Tony Piccolo MP, suggested that a clause might be inserted that would clearly exclude euthanasia & assisted suicide from the operation of the bill, Steph Key commented to the effect that it wasn’t necessary as, “It is very clear that this is not a euthanasia bill.”

The bill repeatedly uses the phrase ‘death or intended death’ and similar, making it obvious: if the action of the doctor was intended to cause death – then it is euthanasia

Following other questions and suggestions that our side of the debate were causing the confusion, Steph key strangely comments: “I guess we are going to have to agree to disagree on whether this is a voluntary euthanasia bill or not.” The bill either is or isn’t; does or doesn’t – it is not a matter of opinion!

The debate is set to resume on the 20th of October

Note: It now seems likely that Tasmanian Premier, Lara Giddings, will release a discussion paper on euthanasia and assisted suicide for the Apple State within a month or so.

Thank you all for your continued interest in this most important issue and special thanks to the many emails of encouragement – I never get sick of them and you are always welcome to email!

Please take every opportunity you can to encourage others to join the HOPE network. Later this month we will be introducing the new website as I prepare to begin working full time for HOPE.

Regards

Paul Russell

Director, HOPE, preventing euthanasia & assisted suicide www.noeuthanasia.org.au

Vice Chair, International Euthanasia Prevention Coalition