Despite many attempts to push legislation through parliament, euthanasia remains illegal in Australia.
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Its supporters say removing the illegality of the process would give more people the option to choose their exit from life, with dignity.
Its opponents say it opens the door to elder abuse, and exploiting vulnerable people.
We are set to hear much more from both sides as the euthanasia debate moves into the spotlight again next year.
A bill will be introduced into Tasmanian Parliament that will make assisted suicide legal, with caveats, including:
- The person must be able to make and communicate informed decisions
- Assisted suicide must be a last resort, after other treatment options have been exhausted
- At least two medical practitioners must be involved in the process
- Medical practitioners will not be obliged to aid assisted suicide
A similar bill was introduced by Labor’s Lara Giddings and The Greens’ Nick McKim in 2013, and it was only defeated by two votes.
This time, Premier Will Hodgman has confirmed that Liberal MPs will be granted a conscious vote on the contentious issue.
It is unclear which way the general population of Australia feels about legalising euthanasia – oddly enough, poll results released from either camp always tend to show results that favour their position.
Research from the Australian Medical Association, released last month, showed that four out of 10 doctors surveyed (4000 took part) wanted voluntary euthanasia.
Most indicated that on a personal level, they would not want to be involved in the process, but agreed that doctors or medical professionals in general should be the ones who administer the procedure, in whatever form it would take.
There are few topics more uncomfortable to discuss than death, and as the Bill makes it way through parliament, we are bound to hear personal stories that will make us squirm in our seats. The important thing that we must remember and keep in our minds during the debate, is respect.
No doubt the discussions – among our politicians and ourselves – will be fiery. Of all this topics, this is one that we must discuss with dignity.
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