Federal - Euthanasia Inquiry

Senator Bob Brown has proposed a private Senator's Bill to repeal the Euthanasia Laws Act which overturned the NT euthanasia law in 1997.

The Senate has sent it to an Inquiry.
Submissions are needed by Wednesday 9th April 2008.

Click here for full details of the Inquiry (includes the bill, submissions, etc...).

Details of the Inquiry and some suggestions for a short submission follow...

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Details of the Inquiry and Bill

Senator Bob Brown has proposed a private Senator's Bill called "The Rights of the Terminally Ill (Euthanasia Laws Repeal) Bill 2008".

The Senate has referred the Bill to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee for inquiry and report by 23 June 2008.

SUBMISSIONS are DUE by Wednesday 9 April 2008.
Please send a submission to the Inquiry by Wed 9 April - opposing the repeal of this law -and opposing Senator Brown's Bill.

Send to Committee Secretary, Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee, Department of the Senate, PO Box 6100, Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600.
Or Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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Further links are available on the Inquiry website:
Information about the Inquiry

Information about the Bill

Submissions received

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Writing a Submission

MANY of the submissions the Committee has received are short letters from people supporting euthanasia and wanting Senator Brown's Bill to succeed.
For example, this one is just six lines! It is from a lady who is a member of the Voluntary Euthanasia Society, asking for euthanasia to be legal.

Dr Brian Pollard, who was a palliative care specialist at Concord Hospital, has an excellent submission submission opposing the Bill. He highlights the flaws in the original Rights of the Terminally Ill Act, 1995, N.T. (ROTI) - which would be restored if Senator Brown's Bill was passed.
Read it by clicking here.

An interesting interview with Dr Pollard 'Safe legalised euthanasia is a myth' is here.

It is VITAL that we write to the Committee:
Some suggested arguments - use your own words....
1. We do NOT support euthanasia.
2. True dignity is found in valuing the life of all people and not allowing euthanasia.
3. Palliative care is the answer for terminally ill patients - not euthanasia.
4. Euthanasia schemes overseas (eg The Netherlands) have resulted in people being euthanized against their will: See overview.
4. Life is sacred and our days are numbered by God, not man.
5. We oppose Senator Brown's Bill which seeks to overturn a Bill passed by the federal Parliament.

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More Information
Andrew Lansdown of Life Ministries writes about euthanasia
If people were dogs & other false arguments for euthanasia

SEND your Submission/Letter by Wed 9 April 2008.