The Euthanasia Issue !

 In November, 2017  New South Wales missed out in enacting an " assisted dying " law by just one vote, despite this measure having overwhelming public support.  Now a private members bill is about to bring the issue back for consideration now that euthanasia is legal and working well in both Victoria and Western Australia.

The thing most citizens fear is to suffer a very painful death.   Unfortunately, there are many diseases that usually deliver a painful end to life and a lot of people end their days in a public hospital bed where rules and regulations apply to the supply of pain killing medication.

Both the dose and the timing are carefully regulated by safety laws and as a consequence many patients die an unpleasant death when this legislation allows them to negotiate with their doctors to end their life on their own terms.

The rules are very simple.  The patient must have a terminal illness that will bring death within the next six months or a degenerative illness that will end it in two years.  He or she must convince two doctors that life ending is their wish and they will be supplied with medication that achives that end.  Loved ones may be present when that death occurs.

This is a humanatarian measure.  We are legally entitled to commit suicide, but the methods used often harm others.   Some jump from high buildings while others have been known to drive at high speed and deliberatelty crash headon into another vehicle. Stepping in front of a train is another option. The threat of increasing pain makes some suffers make unwise decisions.

In each state, bringing this measure into reality relies on the vote of the parliamentarians we vote into office to carry out our wishes.  Public opinion polls show that across Australia about 78% of the population favours putting this law in place and it is coming under consideration in both Queernsland and Tasmania.

Some people have religious convictions that would not allow them to use this law.  It is very much an option that the seriously ill need to activate on their own behalf and the consenting doctors are very aware of their need to be convinced that such death is the wish of the patient,.

It is usual for a bill of such sensitive nature to be free of party politics and decided by a " conscience " vote by our elected representatives.  It seems certain that this asssisted dying bill will be opposed by some -but not all - of the churches and it is hoped that those in parliamenrt will take heed of public opinion.

It is not unreasonable for the public to hope for a painlerss death and it can only bring anguish when such an end is available over the border - but not here !   Our representativers need to take heed when this comes to a vote !