No time for debate on End Of Life Choice Bill

AUCKLAND: There will be no time for Parliament to debate the legalisation of euthanasia in New Zealand before the election — partly because MPs must discuss the pressing issue of mangrove removal first.

Tomorrow is the final member’s day of this Parliamentary term and on the order paper is Act New Zealand leader David Seymour’s End of Life Choice Bill.

But with four valedictory speeches scheduled, and nine local and private member’s Bills ahead of Mr Seymour’s Bill, there is practically no chance of a first reading.

Among the Bills to be debated first are the ThamesCoromandel District Council and Hauraki District Council Mangrove Management Bill.

Mr Seymour said he was disappointed not have a debate on euthanasia this term. He said he had secured the support of 50 MPs so far. He needs 60 votes for a majority.

Mr Seymour is expected to be reelected in September but he was concerned that it could be harder to pass the Bill under the next Parliament.

New Zealand First, which has risen in some political polls, wants a public referendum on euthanasia and could oppose his Bill.

And some of National’s socially liberal MPs in safe seats, including John Key and Maurice Williamson, have been replaced by more conservative candidates.

Mr Seymour said his Bill provided the best chance of a law change in New Zealand because National had ruled out changing the law and Labour has said it was not a priority.

Recent opinion polls have shown that between 65% and 75% of New Zealanders are in favour of medically assisted dying.

Parliament’s health select committee completed a major inquiry on public attitudes to euthanasia last week, and did not recommend that the Government legalise euthanasia.

The committee’s chairman, Simon O’Connor, said the case had not been made for a voluntary euthanasia regime in New Zealand because there were widespread concerns that the elderly and disabled would be vulnerable if the law was changed. — NZME