Euthanasia

The issue of euthanasia is a complex one, so the first thing we must do is define what 'euthanasia' means.

Euthanasia is the deliberate act to end life prematurely by a definite act - such has a lethal injection. 

This could be one's own life or the life of another. It is not turning off life support systems when that is the only thing keeping someone alive. It is not the stopping, or refusal, of medical treatment, such as drugs for cancer or other life-threatening illnesses.

Even when it is actually 'euthanasia' being talked about, the definition of what euthanasia is can be confused - active or passive, voluntary or involuntary.

The Bible does not allow euthanasia - life is sacred and God gives and takes away life. It is not for us to decide. Thus, as Christians we must oppose euthanasia.

Euthanasia is allowed in Holland and Belgium and also in Oregon, USA.

Euthanasia in Australia

For a brief time euthanasia was allowed in the NT, but this was overturned in 1997 by the passing of the Euthanasia Laws Act (see below).

In 2009, a Bill to allow euthanasia (and repeal the Euthanasia Laws Act), was introduced into the Australian Senate by the Greens and an inquiry was held by the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs.
The Senate Committee did not make a recommendation to support the Bill to allow euthanasia. Click here for the Senate Inquiry's Report.

Dr Philip Nitschke is seen as the foremost proponent of campaigner for euthanasia in Australia. He runs the organisation EXIT International and has written the 'Peaceful Pill Handbook' which has been banned for online publication in Australia because it gives step-by step- instructions on how to commit suicide. This was banned under the Suicide Related Material Offences Act which was passed in 2005 by the Howard government.

Australian states

Various Australian states have considered euthanasia legislation. All such proposals have been defeated. Most of these bills were put up by members of the Greens political party.

South Australia
Several attempts have been made in South Australia to legalise euthanasia. Some of these were put up by Democrats MP Sandra Kanck.
She has been awarded life membership of the South Australian Voluntary EuthanasiaSociety (SAVES) for her efforts in introducing two bills in the period 2000-2004.

Since her retirement, bills were put forward in 2009 by Bob Such (Ind) and Mark Parnell (Greens).
In the South Australian Parliament the euthanasia bill was voted on in late 2009 - on 18 November.
The bill to legalise euthanasia was defeated by 11 votes to 9 votes when Liberal MP David Ridgway changed his vote at the last minute. Read report.

Victoria
In Victoria, a proposal to legalise euthanasia was defeated in 2008 (read report).

Tasmania
In late 2009, a euthanasia bill was voted on in Tasmania. Thankfully the Tasmanian parliament defeated the euthanasia bill by 15 votes to 7.
Read an ABC report - click here.
For the actual vote, see the Greens website.

Western Australia
In Western Australia, Greens MP Robin Chapple announced in late 2009 that he plans to introduce a bill to legalise euthanasia into the WA Parliament in 2010.
He has posted the proposed bill on his website - the Voluntary Euthanasia Bill 2009.

Christian Articles on Euthanasia

Thou Shalt Not Kill - The Christian case against compassionate killing
Christian Medical Fellowship, UK. Chapter 2.

If people were dogs & other false arguments for euthanasia
Andrew Lansdown, Life Ministries, WA.

The Legalisation of Euthanasia
Brian Pollard MB BS, FANZCA, Grad Cert Bioeth. Sydney, Australia.
This article by Dr Brian Pollard provides an excellent analysis of the issue and attempts to legalise euthanasia. Dr Pollard is a palliative care expert.

When Rights are wrong
Brian Pollard
An interesting assessment of rights - and wrongs!

EUTHANASIA AND PHYSICIAN-ASSISTED SUICIDE
A Joint Statement by Doctors and Lawyers
Published on Lifesite, 2005.
A thorough statement that outlines what euthanasia is and expresses concern about the outcome of legalised euthanasia.

To CARE and not to KILL 
The Australian Family Association in South Australia has set up a website with videos, articles and more on the topics of euthanasia and palliative care. Very helpful resource.
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Australia - Euthanasia NO

In Australia the Euthanasia NO campaign, organised in 1996 (along with Kevin Andrews' Euthanasia Laws Bill ) to overturn the Northern Territory's euthanasia law, generated widespread awareness of the issue.

Medical Treatment
The Terry Schiavo (USA) and the BWV case in Victoria have highlighted issues of nutrition and hydration (food and water) in gravely ill patients. This issue, whilst not euthanasia in itself, often depends on the health and prospects of the patient and is particularly difficult for people to determine this in advance - in addition courts and doctors interpret things differently!

Living Wills/Advance health care directives...
These are written in some places to set out the treatment you want (or don't want) if gravely ill. Historically these bills have often been proposed by voluntary euthanasia societies as a means of softening public opinion about euthanasia.

The latest example of this in Australia was in Tasmania in 2006.
Norma Jamieson, a member of the Legislative Council, proposed a Directions for Medical Treatment Bill 2005 (Tas).
Prior to her election she was the president of the Voluntary Euthanasia Society of Tasmania. In 1998 she and that organisation made a submission to the House of Assembly asking for the legalisation of euthanasia (the Committee decided not to recommend that legalisation).
The WA government is currently considering such laws, and the Victorian State ALP asked the party to consider 'Advance health care directives' at the May 2005 conference. 

Article : Living Wills
Dr David Gawler highlights some of his concerns about 'living wills' and offers an alternative.

An interesting review of this issue was published in 2006 in the Melbourne University Law Review.

REFUSING ADVANCE REFUSALS: ADVANCE DIRECTIVES AND LIFE-SUSTAINING MEDICAL TREATMENT.
Melbourne University Law Review. [2006] MULR 7.