By Brendan Rees
People suffering from a terminal illness should have the “choice” to end their life, says Member for Cranbourne Jude Perera.
Victoria’s Vountary Assisted Dying Bill was debated in State Parliament this week.
Victorians who are terminally ill are one step closer to having access to euthanasia after the Legislative Assembly voted to pass the bill on Friday 20 October.
“Those who oppose the bill are not prepared to give the choice to human beings to end their lives if they are in great pain that they cannot relieve and if they are close to death,” Mr Perera said.
He said some were trying to find fault by saying that “there are too many safeguards.”
“These safeguards are there to make the legislation more stringent than legislation that exists in other countries, where some forms of euthanasia have been legal for several years.”
“All of the others who are beating around the bush are less than honest as well as being unconcerned about other people’s suffering.”
Mr Perera said the legislation was “not about living or dying” but rather those who are “progressing towards death.”
“It is about giving them the choice to decide when to die and how to die and who should be around them at the critical moment,” he said.
Gembrook MP Brad Battin said there needed to be “some work done” on safeguards.
“I think choice is something that is paramount to every person’s life. I think choice is something that you should have in everything you do.”
He said did not “buy into the belief” that there would be a “massive slippery slope” and anyone would be able to take their life.
He said people in his electorate were guided by different values in their life, but added youth suicide had been “very prominent.”
“I do not believe that any person who is thinking of taking their life actually goes, ‘There’s assisted dying legislation for someone who’s got cancer’. I do not think that is something that is on their mind.”
MLC for South-Eastern Metropolitan Inga Peulich said the Casey community should be disappointed with their three Labor members – “all of whom voted for state sanctioned taking of human life.”
“A state regime facilitating or taking of human life is unethical and frightening, especially as it does not protect or exclude people who suffer from mental health or illness and does not protect older persons from coercion and elder abuse.”
Ms Peulich said the regime was fraught with dangers and would “corrode” the relationship between Victorians, doctors and medical institutions.
“I am disappointed that Labor MPs were not given a full conscience vote to vote this Kill Bill down.”
Bass MP Brian Paynter said the bill would give adults the “opportunity” to initiate a conversation about voluntary assisted dying.
Mr Paynter said this would include people who had a decision-making capacity, were diagnosed with an incurable illness that was progressive, and was expected to cause death within weeks or months.
He said provided it included sufficient safeguards, “I would give it my support.”
Narre Warren South MP Judith Graley said she had “solid support” and opposed reasoned amendment.
“I contend that the model in this Bill respects personal autonomy with strong safeguards that protect the person, health practitioners and the community.”
She said parliament had a conscience vote about “providing choice – patient choice.”
“I confess that in all conscience I cannot deny people who are terminally ill, who are in pain and suffering, that choice.”
The Bill is expected to be debated in the council in the sitting week starting Tuesday 31 October.
Should the Bill pass Parliament, there will be an 18-month implementation period before access to voluntary assisted dying will begin.
