A plan to establish a parliamentary inquiry into end-of-life legislation in WA may be debated in August. <\/p>\n
End-of-life options: Mandurah MP David Templeman will bring on a parliamentary debate in WA on the introduction of euthanasia legislation. Photo: Nathan Hondros. <\/p>\n
Morley MP Amber-Jade Sanderson is a supporter of euthanasia and has moved a motion calling for a parliamentary inquiry into end-of-life laws. Photo: Supplied. <\/p>\n
Western Australiais one step closer to legalising euthanasia,after Mandurah MP David Templeman said a plan to establish a parliamentaryinquiry into end-of-life legislation would bedebated in August.<\/p>\n
Mr Templeman, who is also the government ministerresponsible for which laws are debated, said the move could mean euthanasia legislation may be introduced as early as next year. <\/p>\n
A motion to establish an inquiry into end-of-life choices was put on the notice paper in June by Morley MP Amber-Jade Sanderson. <\/p>\n
It called for a committee to examine the need for laws in Western Australia to allow citizens to make informed decisions regarding their own end-of-life choices.<\/p>\n
Mr Templeman said the committee, which would be made up of eight parliamentarians, would deliver its report by June 30, 2018, allowing any recommended end-of-life legislation to be debated by the years end.<\/p>\n
An inquiry would allow the public to make submissions and Mr Templeman said he hoped it would also run public hearings. <\/p>\n
From my personal point of view, this debate is well overdue and it is important that parliament considers it through a select committee because that process will allow the public to actually have input, he said. <\/p>\n
Consistently, polls and surveys have shown that over 80 per cent of West Australians believe there needs to be laws in place that address end-of-life choice, or euthanasia. <\/p>\n
Mr Templeman said he anticipated the public debate about euthanasia would involve strongly held views, but called on both sides to be respectful. <\/p>\n
The discussion has to be done in a respectful and dignified way, but it is time for this issue to be debated and Im very keen to see the select committee get up, he said. <\/p>\n
Im very keen, from a personal perspective and as member for Mandurah, to hear peoples views when that select committee is established and to hear what people think. <\/p>\n
In March, Health Minister Roger Cook signalled his support for legalising euthanasia, while Greens MP Robin Chapple said he would work with LaborsAlannah MacTiernan to introduce legislation. <\/p>\n
Morley MP Amber-Jade Sanderson, who put the motion calling for an inquiry into euthanasia laws on the notice paper, with Premier Mark McGowan. Photo: Supplied. <\/p>\n
Mr Templeman said his personal view was supportive of dignity in dying legislation, but he was cautious about how a law would be implemented. <\/p>\n
I suppose where I have caution is in what exactly that legislation looks like and the strict terms of when you actually arrive at assisted dying, he said. <\/p>\n
Thats why Im really interested in this debate taking place, because I want to hear points of view. <\/p>\n
Obviously, Ive been supportive of a form of euthanasia legislation for some time and welcome my constituency telling me what they think.<\/p>\n
The last time WA parliament debated euthanasia legislation was in 2010 when a bill was defeated 24 votes to 11 in the upper house before it could be considered by the lower house. <\/p>\n
The move to bring on the issue in WA comes as the Victorian parliament prepares to consider legislation after conducting its own inquiry into euthanasia. <\/p>\n
The Victorian model was developed by a panel of experts andwould mean a request to die could only come from a patient of sound mind and could only be approved by a panel of doctors. <\/p>\n
New offences would be created to prevent abuse. <\/p>\n
The Victorian legislation has the support of the Victorian government, but it is understood any Western Australia legislation would be introduced as a private membersbill. <\/p>\n
Premier Mark McGowan recently said he supportedeuthanasia but would prefer for MPs to exercisea conscience vote on the issue rather than toea party line. <\/p>\n
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Euthanasia: Western Australian parliament to consider end-of-life legislation - Barossa & Light Herald<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A plan to establish a parliamentary inquiry into end-of-life legislation in WA may be debated in August. Continue reading