VOTING NO TO A CHOICE
Toowoomba politician reveals stance against euthanasia
MOST of his electorate backs it, but one city MP has committed to voting against the State Government’s voluntary assisted dying bill.
Toowoomba South MP David Janetzki confirmed he would not support the euthanasia bill ahead of parliamentary debates next week.
TOOWOOMBA South MP David Janetzki will vote against the voluntary assisted dying bill introduced by the State Government, despite data showing most of his electorate supports euthanasia.
Mr Janetzki, the Deputy Leader of the LNP, said he had “serious concerns” about the bill and cited his personal experiences as a contributing factor in the decision.
“My own brother, as a little boy, was given five years to live,” he said.
“That was 40 years ago.” The proposed bill would allow a person who is suffering and dying to choose the timing and circumstances of their death.
While controversial, polls have shown euthanasia is largely supported by the Queensland community.
Data compiled from VoteCompass showed 76 per cent of 1167 respondents in the Toowoomba South electorate believed terminally ill patients should be able to end their own lives with medical assistance.
Mr Janetzki’s concerns with the bill include his belief there are insufficient protections for the vulnerable and the elderly, and that it would deny medical practitioners and institutions the right to conscientious objection.
He said he also believed the bill “crosses centuries-old ethical thresholds” and did not address underfunding of palliative care in regional Queensland.
“St Vincent’s Private Hospital and the Toowoomba Hospice will be forced by law to permit euthanasia on their premises – despite their opposition to the bill,” Mr Janetzki said.
“My desire is that every regional community has their own Toowoomba Hospice to care for their loved ones in their final days.”
Mr Janetzki is expected to speak on the bill when it is debated in state parliament next week.
He said he also believed the bill would pass after the parliamentary debate.
If the bill passes it is expected to become law in 2023.
Assisted dying would be available to people who have an advanced, progressive condition expected to cause death within 12 months.
The person must also have capacity to make decisions and act voluntarily.
Someone who is elderly or frail would not meet eligibility requirements if they did not have a disease expected to cause death.
Toowoomba North MP Trevor Watts and Condamine MP Pat Weir are yet to make their positions clear.