Assisted death debate plan ‘ not before time’
PREMIER Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced that, after the abortion debate is finalised, there will be an inquiry into end- of- life care, including the issue of voluntary euthanasia.
Queensland is the last state in the country to debate the issue. It is expected the inquiry will begin late October or November.
Dying with Dignity supporters, Andrew Denton and members of Clem Jones Group have worked hard to have an inquiry introduced into parliament.
Clem Jones Group chairman David Muir said the announcement was “not before time”.
He said the government should begin the inquiry as early as this week in order to prevent people being forced to take their own lives in painful ways.
The Premier told the recent Labor Party Conference in Brisbane “the issue must be confronted”. She said “the parliamentary health committee would lead the examination, which will also look at aged care and palliative care”.
The committee will undertake thorough research into the pros and cons of such a law. It will investigate laws in Australia and overseas, will interview people who have an interest or otherwise in the law and call for submissions from people who want, or do not want, a voluntary assisted dying law.
The Premier went on to say “I have watched carefully as other jurisdictions have faced this issue head on. I have personally listened to those who have watched their loved ones suffer … and I too have watched my own family suffer.”
Ms Palaszczuk said the inquiry would also look at the broader issue of the cost and complexity of aged care.
Although the date of the inquiry has not been officially announced, Dying with Dignity Queensland feels they need to be prepared and is now calling on 80 per cent plus of the population to send in a submission.
They should describe in detail why they support a law that will give terminally ill people or others suffering intolerable pain the access to drugs that will end their life quickly and peacefully.
When writing submissions, they will need to give Dying with Dignity permission to pass on the submission. They also need to include their name, home address and email address.
The Victorian Inquiry last year found that one chronically ill Victorian resident was taking their life per week, often violently. After much debate, an End of Life law was passed and at the present time doctors, nurses, pharmacists, counsellors etc are undergoing 12 months of training to comply with the 68 safeguards set down by the Victorian government.
Patients will be allowed to access the law in June 2019.
The Western Australian Government has recently completed 12 months of an inquiry and has recommended the Government introduce a Bill into Parliament on Voluntary Assisted Dying.
The State Opposition questioned the need for the inquiry. Deputy Opposition Leader Tim Mander said assisted dying should not be a priority issue for the Government.
MARJ LAWRENCE, Regional Co- ordinator, Dying with Dignity Qld.