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Assisted dying laws passed
Victoria has passed a historic assisted dying bill this morning following a marathon parliamentary session that lasted more than 24 hours.
The Victorian Government has passed its Voluntary Assisted Dying bill through the Lower House
The State Labor Government’s proposed Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill successfully passed through the Lower House – 47 votes to 37 – after a fierce debate that saw MPs from both sides of parliament put forth emotive responses.
‘Patients are dying and we should allow them to die with dignity and respect,’ RACGP President Dr Bastian Seidel said today after the bill was passed. ‘Assuming this bill also passes the Senate, we challenge other states and territories to follow Victoria’s lead.’
Premier Daniel Andrews, a supporter of the bill, told the Victorian parliament on Thursday that, ‘No-one should have to suffer a bad death in the name of good ethics’. Meanwhile, the following speaker, Manager of Opposition Business and opponent of the bill Robert Clark, told his fellow MPs to ask themselves, ‘Will I vote for death, or will I vote for care?’
Nor did opinions follow party lines; Victorian Deputy Premier James Merlino stood against Premier Daniel Andrews by proposing a reasoned amendment to the bill that may have delayed its passage indefinitely. This amendment was defeated in a parliamentary vote.
The controversial issue also spilled into the community, with spokespeople from a number of healthcare bodies expressing their opinions of the proposed bill. AMA national president Dr Michael Gannon, a vocal opponent, sent a tweet on Wednesday night seemingly aimed at Premier Andrews and Victorian Health Minister Jill Hennessy, who spoke in parliament about personal experiences of parents passing away.
The bill, which needs to pass through the Upper House before becoming law, will allow terminally ill people over the age of 18, in severe pain and with only a year to live able to access lethal drugs.
AMA assisted-dying euthanasia
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