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Voluntary assisted dying legislation in South Australia has passed another legislative hurdle, with the Upper House last night waving the controversial bill through its second reading with a final vote set for May.<\/p>\n
The euthanasia legislation, sponsored by Labor MLC Kyam Maher and Deputy Opposition Leader Susan Close, is modelled on a similar bill passed in Victoria in 2017.<\/p>\n
It includes 68 safeguards and a provision that someone applying to end their life early due to terminal illness must have been a resident in SA for at least 12 months.<\/p>\n
It is South Australia 17th attempt in 25 years to pass voluntary euthanasia laws.<\/p>\n
Last nights vote means the legislation will now go to the committee review stage before a final conscience vote is scheduled to take place in the Upper House on May 5.<\/p>\n
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In an emotional sitting of the Legislative Council, politicians from both sides of aisle expressed differing and deeply held personal views on the matter informed by previous life experiences.<\/p>\n
Maher sought to ease concerns of those opposed to the legislation that the new laws could lead to coercion or misuse.<\/p>\n
Nothing in this bill will make anyone do anything, Maher told the Upper House.<\/p>\n
It will not force any terminally ill patient to avail themselves to a scheme of assisted dying. It will not force any health practitioner to participate in a scheme if their conscience doesnt allow them to.<\/p>\n
But making a decision against this bill certainly will actively stop people who wish to avail themselves to a voluntary assisted dying scheme in those last months of a terminal illness.<\/p>\n
Treasurer Rob Lucas, who has opposed euthanasia legislation since the 1980s, said his views were a minority in the Upper House.<\/p>\n
I know that in this particular chamber, whilst the view that I held years ago was the majority view in the chamber on euthanasia, it is very much a minority view at this particular time, Lucas said.<\/p>\n
But I can not, will not, and dont have to subscribe to the view that because of a poll says the majority people say I should vote a particular way that thats the way that I should vote on that particular issue.<\/p>\n
Tasmania passed voluntary assisted dying laws through both houses of their state parliament last week, following Victoria and Western Australia as the third state to legalise euthanasia.<\/p>\n
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Euthanasia bill passes another hurdle in Parliament - InDaily<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 'ICAC could look into this': Anti-corruption watchdog open to data probe 'Truly demoralising': Bombshell report reveals children, elderly at mercy of ambulance ramping Not FIFA compliant - but Hindmarsh to host Women's World Cup SA building approvals fall despite record home building levels Aboriginal Cultures Centre viability report signed-off, not released Voluntary assisted dying legislation in South Australia has passed another legislative hurdle, with the Upper House last night waving the controversial bill through its second reading with a final vote set for May. The euthanasia legislation, sponsored by Labor MLC Kyam Maher and Deputy Opposition Leader Susan Close, is modelled on a similar bill passed in Victoria in 2017. Continue reading