Feds must amend the criminal code
CONSTITUENTS should be aware of the recently passed historic Bill by majority (61-30) in the Queensland parliament (16th Sept 2021), after 3 days of debate on the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2021.
However the work is not over. In my role as Chair of the Health Committee, I would like to provide a summary on Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD).
The introduction and subsequent passing of this Bill was undertaken over a three-year period, in total over 11,000 written submissions were received and over 40 Public hearings around the State were conducted with hundreds appearing before the committee, with the overwhelming majority supporting a bill that gives choice to those suffering from a terminal, life limiting illness at their end of life, to access VAD.
Being a Regional MP, I knew it was important to also get the views of those in our local area, and hearings were conducted in
Mount Isa, Townsville, and Palm Island. No matter where we went in Queensland people wanted to stay in their local community, surrounded by loved ones and friends and not be moved to an area to access treatment.
This is where the use of telehealth is so important, and after speaking with practitioners I know they use this important tool to provide specialist advice to those people living in rural, remote, or indigenous communities for health services including Palliative care.
In some locations, there may only be one GP.
With the introduction of VAD, it will require independent assessment from a second medical practitioner.
The use of telehealth will and can assist with delivery of VAD, in providing advice and or through the assessment phase.
Queensland’s size or a patients poor health make it difficult for patients and health practitioners to discuss VAD.
Using this communication method to discuss VAD may breach the Commonwealth (Cth) Criminal Code Act 1995, which prohibits the use of a carriage service to distribute material that counsels or incites suicide.
The QLRC does not consider VAD as suicide, nor does the Bill itself.
This Commonwealth legislation may impede patients and health practitioners ability to discuss VAD.
I understand the Premier has written to the Prime Minister requesting the Australian Government amend the Criminal Code , so it does not impede the operation and availability of Queensland’s VAD laws however it was recently reported that the Australian Government had stated it had no plans to amend the Criminal Code.
Now that the Queensland VAD
Bill has been passed, I have also written to our local federal representatives to request their position on VAD.
Do they support giving people choice at end of life?
I’ve asked for them to stand up for regional Queenslanders on this important matter and raise the need to amend the Criminal Code to address this issue with the
Prime Minister.
AARON HARPER MP State Member for Thuringowa
DAM CONCERN
I FEEL compelled to lodge comments on your editorial and article by Wilson & Grimes, on prospect of the pipeline from the Burdekin River to Gumlu and Bowen.
As stories suggest this has long attracted interest from experienced irrigators etc.
There appears to be viable areas of country with favourable low development costs, compared with other proposals, such as the Katter Party’s Balfe’s Creek scheme.
The current major aquaculture developments south of Bowen and other prospective enterprises east of Gumluc, will be delighted with the prospect of protein crops suitable for dry feed production.
If governments will only listen to studies by grower bodies such as BRIA, who have concluded that money wisely allocated to reorganising water distribution infrastructure within the Burdekin scheme, would at reasonable cost, deliver as much extra water to justify the Bowen pipeline, as the megamillions required to raise the wall of the Burdekin Falls dam.
Most of us are unaware of the structure of the noted Bowen Pipeline Company and who besides Sean & Kathryn Brown, are registered members and if they have affiliated with other proactive producer groups, such a Agforce Cane, to seriously increase their ‘punching power’.
I feel it is unfortunate that the editor felt it necessary to push, without objective facts, proceeding with the flawed Hells Gate dam.
In time, authentic scientific facts will prevail.
Such reality will illustrate that Hells Gate dam will have a degrading effects on the quality of water harvested by such a dam.
Such water would proceed to the Big Rocks weir, proposed for Charters Towers and add to the contaminated water of Burdekin Falls dam, which persistently measures Turbidity readings of 170 NTUS.
Which is 34 times greater than the maximum permissible level for human consumption, of 5 NTUS.
Further, the upper Burdekin water is yet to experience a dramatic increase in turbidity levels, as a result of the Greenvale Military Training Centre being developed on some of the most fragile, erosion prone country, within the whole catchment.
We are dealing with two pandemics in Queensland the Covid and the criminal. Obviously the Covid problem is everyone else’s fault but hers and she flatly refuse to address the crime pandemic. Pity there’s not an election next year because at least then she would be forced to address the crime pandemic that has taken over at Townsville. SUE KIRWAN
One solution to Townsville’s housing shortage would be to revive the Good Shepherd old people’s home at Pallarenda and rent the units to people who need a roof over their heads, like Mrs Van Stelten (TB 14/10). It has been sitting idle for years and the bloke who owns it could surely afford to fix it up. DK 4810.
I am in Brisbane at the moment where my wife has had a bonemarrow transplant. I am fully vaccinated and my wife would like to be the same. This is not medically allowable at the moment due to her condition. We are due to fly back home to Townsville in early November and I am concerned for her safety due to Covid locked on a plane with God knows how many unvaccinated people. I realise that the injection doesn’t stop the disease but it does lessen the chance of contracting it and spreading the same. Please people get your injection and help the people who CANNOT help themselves.
DAVID HARTLEY. DOUGLAS
Our street got hit again last night. We’re all good, my good ol’ dog did her job excellently, but my poor mate down the road, she got hit again. And Mr Harper, that “small cohort of recidivist offenders” grows yearly under Palaszczuk govt laws. Fiveyears ago Townsville had about 30, a figure that we now just dream of. 120? 150? PEDRO CRANBROOK
I love a good hearty laugh over morning coffee and Extinction Rebellion never disappoints. Most wouldn’t have travelled to the reef let alone explored it but the dead fish was an appropriate location. W WENCK, CURRAJONG.
Juvenile Crime is still the toxic subject in letters and texts, a great letter from Barry Lowe. Unfortunately they are falling on deaf ears in this sad state. What is the answer and are we going to get a reprieve from this plague? Time is indeed running out.
M J REYNOLDS MT LOUISA
As this current generation of students and teachers are the greatest consumers of energy in the history of education Monday should see all the aircons & computers shut down & the kiddies riding or walking to school. Good move. DOC CONDON The three who claim to be our state representatives are only in that position because of preferences. It’s time to get rid of this farce and have first past the post system. As it is, these three only stand to feather their own pockets and maintain Labor’s protection for our stealing generation. The evidence is visible to all. NEV 4814