'Dying with Dignity' Bill - Victoria

A Victorian Legislative Assembly members, Ken Smith, announced last year that he planned to bring a private member's bill to the Victorian Parliament to allow for 'doctor-assisted dying'.

The Age newspaper reported on 18 March 2008 that he has released details of his bill, and that the bill could be introduced into parliament as early as next month.
Euthanasia bill to bar 'death tourists'
The Age, Carol Nader, March 18, 2008.

The bill would allow 'doctor assisted dying' but it states that people must live in Victoria for at least 12 months - to avoid 'death tourists'. The Age reports that the Bill also says that at least two doctors would have to deem the patient was suffering from "intolerable pain" and had an incurable illness before medication could be prescribed to help them die and that three different drugs would be allowed to be prescribed.

The Bill does not mention 'euthanasia' and would not allow a doctor to actually give a lethal injection - but it is being strongly promoted by pro-euthanasia groups like Dying with Dignity Victoria (which USED to be called 'Voluntary Euthanasia Society of Victoria').

The Age reports that the "Government has indicated it would not support the bill, making it unlikely MPs will have the chance to debate it." A spokesman for Premier John Brumby told The Age that they have a 'full legislative program'.

This is good news... but we still need to take action!

Ken Smith describes himself as a "God loving Christian" who has watched family members die. Click here to read his speech to the 'Dying with Dignity Victoria' rally -

Whatever the circumstances, we do not believe we, as Christians, should support such legislation.

ACTION: If you live in Victoria, please contact your MPs (1 Legislative Assembly, 5 Legislative Council) to oppose this Bill.
Click here for MP contact details.

Media articles:

State Liberal MP to push death law
The Age, Carol Nader, June 21, 2007

Euthanasia bill to bar 'death tourists'
The Age, Carol Nader, March 18, 2008.