Terminally ill patients in this state could soon have right to die
Terminally ill NSW residents over the age of 25 could soon have the right to end their lives with medical assistance under draft legislation with cross party support, that’s expected to be introduced to state parliament in the coming months.
The Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill, drafted by a parliamentary working group of members of the Coalition, Labour, Greens and an independent, would apply to those in severe pain or physical incapacity and are considered likely to die within 12 months.
Under the bill, patients would be assessed by their primary doctor, a specialist and a psychologist of psychiatrist, before being allowed to self-administer a lethal substance to end their lives. They may be assisted by a medical practitioner or nominated person.
The bill has several safeguards in place, including a 48-hour cooling-off period as well as the right of close relatives to challenge patient eligibility in court. It also requires two medical practitioners approving the final decision.
Nationals MP Trevor Khan told ABC News, “The overwhelming majority of Australians and people who live in NSW want some action on this subject.”
Labor MP Lynda Voltz said it pollies should listen to community support, “I go and walk my dog and people talk to me about it, I go out to community meetings and people talk about it.
“There is a lot of community support out there for a bill of this nature and parliaments can no longer stick their head in the sand and ignore that community expectation.”
It certainly is a controversial issue. What’s your take on the euthanasia debate? Do you think terminally ill patients should have the right to choose when they die? Or is it one of those situations where there’s just too many grey areas? Let us know in the comments.