Euthanasia debate to go ahead in Victoria
Victoria is set for an explosive parliamentary debate on euthanasia after the Government agreed not to block the introduction of a Private Member’s Bill. The Hon. Keith Smith (Liberal, Bass), will soon place on Notice Paper in the Victorian Parliament the Medical Treatment (Physician Assisted Dying) Bill 2008. The Bill aims to give the right to those with a terminal or advanced incurable disease and intolerable suffering the right to assistance from a doctor to die peacefully. The Victorian Government is on the public record as having no intention of blocking its passage. Greens MP Colleen Hartland will co-sponsor the Medical Treatment (Physician Assisted Dying) Act 2008, some time in the next six months. The move by a Liberal to introduce the Bill is likely to be controversial and cause considerable debate within the party. If it gets through to a second-reading stage, it is likely that party would be given a conscience vote.
Source: VES (Voluntary Euthanasia Society of NSW) Newsletter, March 2008, p.3.
