WA - Euthanasia Bill

UPDATE: The Voluntary Euthanasia Bill 2010 was debated by the WA Legislative Council on 21-23 September 2010.

The GOOD NEWS - it was soundly DEFEATED - by 24 votes to 11 votes!

Thank you to all MPs who voted against the Bill!

Campaign Details...

A Bill that would legalise euthanasia was introduced into the Western Australian by Greens MP Robin Chapple  - it is a private member's bill called the Voluntary Euthanasia Bill (2010).

The Bill was read for the first time on May 20, 2010. Mr Chapple also gave his second reading speech. This was during a time allocated for the Greens to bring up private motions.
(Read media report on WA Today - click here.)

Click here to see the WA parliament page for this Bill.
It includes the text of the Bill and the second reading speech.

Debate and vote

The parliament is likely to address this bill in the Greens' 'private members' time'. The first possibility for this was on 1 July - but it wasn't debated. It now seems that the Bill could be discussed later this year - either September or November.

We oppose any form of voluntary euthanasia legislation.
In places where such laws operate - as in the Netherlands and Oregon, and for a short time in the NT before the federal government overturned the law - vulnerable people have been put at risk.

In the Netherlands the Remmelink Inquiry found that many people had been killed in hospitals without giving their explicit consent for 'euthanasia' (read overview of the Remmelink Inquiries).

There are few 'safeguards' in the proposed WA legislation meaning that people who are not even terminally ill could be persuaded to take their own life.

From a Christian perspective the sanctity of life is an important factor that we should not overlook.
Read Andrew Lansdown's paper on this subject: If people were dogs and other false arguments for euthanasia  

Unfortunately, a group calling itself 'Christians Supporting Voluntary Euthanasia' is campaigning FOR the Bill, saying that Christians support euthanasia!
Ironically, the WA representative for the group has stood as a candidate for the Greens.
The group is also active in SA, calling for euthanasia to be legalised.

Action

1. If you live in WA, it is important that you write to the Premier to ask him not to allow government time to be used for the debate of this Bill. Premier:
Write to Colin Barnett - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

2. It is also vital that you contact the SIX MPs who represent your region in the Legislative Council. Ask them to vote AGAINST the Bill. Perhaps you could organise a delegation of concerned leaders from your church or visit each MP.

Please write individual letters to each of the 6 MPs - address each by their name and tell them you live in their region and they represent you! It is important that your letters and visits are carefully presented and discerning.

If you have personal experiences relating to death and dying, they can be useful in presenting a well argued case against the legalisation of voluntary euthanasia.

For MP names and details see our website: click here.
or go direct to the list on the WA parliament website.