LABOR justice spokeswoman Lara Giddings has secured the support of rank and file party members to pursue legalising voluntary euthanasia. Ms Giddings on Sunday urged delegates at the party's state conference to back voluntary assisted dying. It comes as Ms Giddings continues to look for Liberal and Greens support for a co-sponsored private members' bill to legalise voluntary euthanasia. She told delegates Tasmania must take a leadership role in allowing terminally ill people to die with dignity. "When you have seen people die very miserable, painful deaths, even with the very best palliative care possible, then you know there is something wrong," Ms Giddings said. "It is time we had a proper legal framework that enabled people who want to end their lives to do so." Not all delegates supported her calls, with ALP Newstead branch secretary Elliot Bell speaking against the motion. "We don't believe you can codify through any law circumstances by which an individual to elect to end their own life without it being abused," Mr Bell said. "Regardless of the numerous safeguards, this legislation will never be foolproof, people will exploit the vulnerable and people will die involuntarily." Ms Giddings rejected his argument. "It is wrong to say there are not sufficient safeguards to ensure that only those people who really truly have made their own, independent decision can go through the process," she said. The majority of delegates supported the voluntary euthanasia motion when it was put to a vote. Ms Giddings is looking to introduce the legislation by the end of this year.
Labor justice spokeswoman Lara Giddings at the party's state conference on the weekend. Picture: PAUL SCAMBLER
LABOR justice spokeswoman Lara Giddings has secured the support of rank and file party members to pursue legalising voluntary euthanasia.
Ms Giddings on Sunday urged delegates at the party's state conference to back voluntary assisted dying.
It comes as Ms Giddings continues to look for Liberal and Greens support for a co-sponsored private members' bill to legalise voluntary euthanasia.
She told delegates Tasmania must take a leadership role in allowing terminally ill people to die with dignity.
"When you have seen people die very miserable, painful deaths, even with the very best palliative care possible, then you know there is something wrong," Ms Giddings said.
"It is time we had a proper legal framework that enabled people who want to end their lives to do so."
Not all delegates supported her calls, with ALP Newstead branch secretary Elliot Bell speaking against the motion.
"We don't believe you can codify through any law circumstances by which an individual to elect to end their own life without it being abused," Mr Bell said.
"Regardless of the numerous safeguards, this legislation will never be foolproof, people will exploit the vulnerable and people will die involuntarily."
Ms Giddings rejected his argument.
"It is wrong to say there are not sufficient safeguards to ensure that only those people who really truly have made their own, independent decision can go through the process," she said.
The majority of delegates supported the voluntary euthanasia motion when it was put to a vote.
Ms Giddings is looking to introduce the legislation by the end of this year.
