Voluntary euthanasia SA law reform media conference 15/9/10

The likelihood of voluntary euthanasia being legalised in SA has been significantly increased by an agreement between ALP backbencher Steph Key and Greens Leader Mark Parnell to introduce identical Bills in both Houses of Parliament.

Ms Key said that it was time for Parliament to catch up with public opinion. "Over 80% of Australians support the right of the terminally and others living in intolerable pain and suffering to seek the assistance of doctor to end their own lives at a time and in circumstances of their choosing", said Ms Key.

Mr Parnell expressed delight about working with Ms Key on the issue. "Working together has significantly strengthened my previous Bill that was so narrowly defeated in the Upper House last year", said Mr Parnell.

Ms Key and Mr Parnell's joint Bill seeks to amend the Consent to Medical Treatment and Palliative Care Act.

Ms Key and Mr Parnell said today that the Bill includes significant new safeguards including:

• a requirement for two doctors to examine the person making the request, at least one of whom must be a specialist;

• a requirement for a psychiatrist to be consulted if either doctor believes that the person is not of sound mind, or is acting under undue influence;

• an expanded Voluntary Euthanasia Board with powers to intervene if the person or any relevant medical practitioner believes that a person's request for euthanasia should not be granted;

• stricter obligations on witnesses; and,

• maximum penalties of 20 years imprisonment for people making misleading statements or otherwise acting so as to cause the death of a person.

Other safeguards include a ban on 'for-profit' centres and promotion of VE by insurance companies, a 12 month residency requirement, and provision of interpreters for people whose first language is not English.

Ms Key introduced the Bill in the House of Assembly on Thursday 16 September, and Mr Parnell will introduce it in the Legislative Council on Wednesday 29 September.

Voluntary euthanasia is a conscience issue for Labor and Liberal, and cross-party support for the Bill is growing. Liberal Member for Morphett, Duncan McFetridge, and Independent Member for Frome, Geoff Brock, both attended the media conference to show their support for Ms Key and Mr Parnell's Bill.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Australian
• Greens
• SA
• MLC
• Mark
• Parnell
• voluntary
• euthanasia
• law
• reform
• South
• Parliament