TOOWOOMBA HOSPICE AGAINST VAD BILL

SPECIALISED palliative care provider the Toowoomba Hospice has taken a stand against the proposed Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill that’s to be debated by Queensland Parliament in September this year.

Toowoomba Hospice Association chairman Graham Barron said the organisation did not support assisted suicide and euthanasia.

“The Toowoomba Hospice is a purpose-built private health care facility, which provides specialised palliative care for adult individuals and families experiencing a terminal illness,” he said.

“Our values are based on the belief that every person is valuable and should be cared for as such.

“We don’t believe assisting someone to suicide, or ending their life directly and intentionally, can be an expression of care that upholds the values the Toowoomba Hospice was founded upon.”

Toowoomba’s state members of parliament are both uncommitted to the bill as it stands.

Toowoomba North MP Trevor Watts said he believed the initial bill was “somewhat problematic” but was going through the current bill “looking for answers to concerns that have been raised to me by stakeholders and constituents”. Toowoomba South MP David Janetzki said he was currently reviewing the Health and Environment Committee’s report on the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill.

“I will outline my position on the report and bill prior to it being debated next month,” Mr Janetzki said.