EUTHANASIA LAW REFORM BID FAILS

A RENEWED bid for a euthanasia framework in Tasmania has been lost after failing to secure the support of key Liberal and Labor MPs.

The Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill had been co-sponsored by former Labor premier Lara Giddings and Greens leader Cassy O’Connor.

It was the third time the issue of euthanasia had come before the Tasmanian Parliament since 2009.

Opening the conscience debate in the Lower House, Ms Giddings said several international jurisdictions including Canada now had a voluntary assisted dying framework.

“While people are given no option other than to live with pain and suffering every day of their lives or take their own lives in often horrible and tragic circumstances, this issue will not go away,” she said.

“We are elected to make decisions on the floor of this parliament and it’s time we made them on this issue.”

Ms O’Connor said the Bill protected doctors, medical professionals and patients and was about compassion for people suffering at the end of their lives.

“This is a reform that is long overdue in this country and in this state,” she said.

About 400 people gathered on the lawns outside Parliament House at a rally in support of the Bill.

Health Minister Michael Ferguson labelled the proposal a “death Bill”.

Mr Ferguson said he could not reconcile efforts to address the tragedy of suicide with a Bill allowing people to end their own life.

“It is in fact a dangerous Bill, it will create a different group of cruel tragedies,” he said.

Human Services Minister Jacquie Petrusma said she was deeply concerned about how people with disabilities and the elderly could be abused.

While some who voted against the Bill were strongly opposed to euthanasia, others could see a need for a voluntary assisted dying framework but did not support the Bill that was on the table.

Braddon Liberal MP Roger Jaensch said he was “somewhat supportive of” euthanasia and proposed the issue be referred to a committee.

Mr Jaensch’s committee proposal was supported by Premier Will Hodgman, Bass Liberal MP Sarah Courtney and a number of other members, but was voted down.

Deputy Premier Jeremy Rockliff said he could see a need for improvements to endof-life options but was “not across the line yet”.

“It would take a lot of convincing for me to support such legislation.”

Along with Ms Giddings and Ms O’Connor, the MPs who voted for the Bill were: Liberal Nic Street, the ALP’s Rebecca White, Michelle O’Byrne and Scott Bacon, and the Greens’ Andrea Dawkins and Rosalie Woodruff.

In the Upper House yesterday, debate started on the Government’s forestry legislation.