David Seymour’s “End of Life Choice bill” Should be Withdrawn from the Ballot

Media Release 19th May 2016

Right to Life believes that David Seymour, out of respect for Parliament and the electorate, should withdraw his Private Members End of Life Choice bill from the ballot. The bill hangs over Parliament like a dark and sinister storm cloud. It is a serious threat to the democratic Select Committee process and its presence intimidates Parliament, This bill is not only is not only offensive to many citizens who have made submissions opposing doctors assisting in the suicide or the killing of their patients but is more disturbingly a real threat to the most vulnerable members of our community.

Parliament in response to a petition from the Hon Maryan Street presented to Ian Lees Galloway on 23 June 2015, directed that the petition be sent to the Health Select Committee, to draft terms of reference and to invite members of the community to submit submissions on the wider issue of euthanasia. The petition read; “that the House of Representatives investigate fully, public attitudes towards the introduction of legislation which would permit medically assisted dying in the event of a terminal illness or an irreversible condition which makes life unbearable”. The Committee was requested to report back to Parliament recommending what actions were necessary. The Health Committee has received an estimated 19,000 submissions and will later hear oral submissions.

Right to Life requests that David Seymour withdraws his “End of Life Choice” bill from the ballot as it threatens the Select Committee’s consideration of the question of doctor assisted suicide and Parliament’s consideration of the Committee’s report.

It is expected that the Committee may not report back to Parliament until the middle of next year. It is possible that the bill may be drawn from the ballot before the Committee has reported back. Parliament is entitled to receive and consider the Committee’s report. Parliament should not be imposed upon to debate the very contentious bill of David Seymour before it has considered the very important report of the Committee. Right to Life believes that in support of the common good and out of consideration for Parliament and the electorate, David Seymour should withdraw his bill from the ballot until Parliament has considered the Committee’s report.

ENDS

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