Liberal MP Duncan McFetridge urges MPs to show courage in supporting euthanasia Bill

THE latest push to legalise voluntary euthanasia in SA does not require a person to have been diagnosed with a terminal illness, prompting concerns in State Parliament.

• New euthanasia legislation coming to SA Parliament

THE latest push to legalise voluntary euthanasia in South Australia does not require a person to have been diagnosed with a terminal illness, prompting concerns during debate in state Parliament.

People with a medical condition experiencing “unbearable and hopeless suffering” would be able to choose voluntary euthanasia under the proposed changes, but Liberal MP Troy Bell has raised concerns that there is no requirement for a terminal diagnosis.

Mr Bell said he was concerned that people with severe depression could be allowed to choose voluntary euthanasia if the legislation was approved as written.

“I would feel perhaps a little bit more comfortable in an initial phase if a terminal illness was part of the criteria,” he said. “But I understand many of the arguments against that.”

Previous attempts to legalise voluntary euthanasia have addressed the “terminal stage of a terminal illness”.

Proponents of the latest Bill argue there are many circumstances where a person may experience “unbearable and hopeless suffering” without a terminal illness — such as a profound disability — and they should still be afforded the choice.

The Voluntary Euthanasia Bill 2016 would require a person to undergo assessment by two doctors, and possibly a psychiatrist, before being able to choose voluntary euthanasia.

An independent witness would also have to certify that they had made their decision uninfluenced by others.

Liberal MP Duncan McFetridge

The Bill allows for a 48-hour so-called cooling-off period to ensure a person was sure about their decision.

The legislation was put to Parliament by Labor backbencher Steph Key, and is supported by Liberal MP Duncan McFetridge.

MPs will have a conscience vote on the Bill.

Dr McFetridge on Saturday pleaded with MPs in Parliament’s Lower House not to reject the Bill based on “furphies”.

“Don’t be a coward,” he said.

“If you have problems with this legislation, take it to committee stage (where legislation is debated in detail), I dare you ... so we can answer your questions.

“Have the courage to do what 80 per cent of South Australians want — they want the choice.”

Judith King with her husband Jon, at their Evandale home. Picture: Bianca De Marchi

Judith King, 69, has been diagnosed with the rare, degenerative neurological disease multi System atrophy which affects about 25,000 Australians.

There is no cure. Mrs King has written to MPs urging them to recognise the “unbearable and hopeless suffering people like me are facing each day”.

“I may never use the option of voluntary euthanasia if it becomes legally available here in SA, but ... it would be a huge relief to know that if and when my worst nightmares come about, then I could resort to a dignified pathway to end my unbearable and hopeless suffering, without involving my loving husband and family in any illegal activity,” she said.

Australian Bureau of Statistics data released this week showed a high suicide rate among older Australians.

In 2013, the highest rate of suicide occurred in men aged older than 85 years (38 per 100,000 people).

On average, four Australians aged 70-plus commit suicide each week.

Under the proposed Bill, a death by voluntary euthanasia would not be considered homicide or suicide and any insurance policies would be unaffected.

The underlying illness would be recorded as the cause of death on a death certificate.