Proposed laws to make Tasmania the only state to legalise euthanasia have been tabled in the Tasmanian Parliament. Greens leader Nick McKim said his private member's Bill contained comprehensive safeguards to prevent misuse. Labor and Liberal MPs have been allowed a conscience vote on it. But Christian and right-to-life lobbyists attacked the proposed legislation, saying it would quickly lead to "non-voluntary euthanasia" and a corruption of the medical profession. It is the second attempt to decriminalise and regulate voluntary euthanasia in Tasmania.
The world's first euthanasia legislation, the Rights of the Terminally Ill Act 1995, was passed in the Northern Territory in 1995. Four patients died in the NT under the provisions of the legislation before it was overturned in 1997 by Federal Parliament. Voluntary euthanasia under the Tasmanian Bill will be available only to people resident in Tasmania for at least 12 months who are terminally ill and suffering intolerable pain. They will have to be assessed by a psychiatrist as being mentally competent to make an informed decision.
Debate on the motion to send the bill to a committee of review has been held over to late July at the earliest. Deputy Premier Lara Giddings has moved to have the legislation examined by a cross-party committee of both Houses of Parliament before being debated later this year. Opponents hope this will provide an opportunity for closer scrutiny of the bill.
Society
Euthanasia debate fires up again
Source: Australian Prayer Network
Thursday, 25 June 2009, 8:26 (EST)
Have your say on this article
Top Stories
Society Headline
