Queensland politicians grapple with euthanasia laws

Amid the noise and gratuitous politicking, a piece of history was being made at Queensland Parliament this week. But some voters still engaged enough to tune in to State or Federal politics were still given plenty of reasons to despair, writes Sarah Vogler.

VOTERS still engaged enough to tune in to State or Federal Parliament this week were given plenty of reasons to despair.

You had scuffles in the hallway and blood smears on a door in Canberra.

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In Queensland there was a bizarre battle to gain the political upper hand in the sexual harassment scandal involving Jason Costigan.

Such was the struggle to score a point even the Whitsunday Regional Council attempted to get in on the act with repeat Labor electoral candidate Mike Brunker – himself gaining infamy for a moment of pugilistic madness several years ago – moving a motion against his local MP.

The committee is looking not just at legalising voluntary assisted dying in the state but also at palliative care and aged care.

Mr Costigan himself was not present for the spectacle, having taken leave for what would have been his first week as an independent, stating he was unwell amid the distress of dealing with the allegations levelled at him and the fallout, including his expulsion from the LNP.

But amid the noise and gratuitous politicking, another piece of history was being made. The committee charged with considering euthanasia laws for Queensland as part of a historic end-of-life care inquiry, ­released its issues paper.

This is an issue every Queenslander needs to pay attention to.

It is arguably one of the most important inquiries the Parliament will undertake because it will affect every one.

It is the first time Queensland’s Parliament will grapple with euthanasia.

The committee is looking not just at legalising voluntary assisted dying in the state but also at palliative care and aged care.

The public has just under two months to put in a submission on one or all of the topics being covered. Submissions close on April 15.

Clem Jones Trust chairman David Muir. Picture: AAP/Dan Peled

Then the Parliamentary Health, Communities, Disability Services and Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Committee will embark on public hearings across the state.

What it determines will be known at the end of the year, with the committee due to report back by November 30.

New laws could be recommended following their inquiries with committee chair Aaron Harper and his deputy, Mark McArdle, keeping all options on the table at this stage.

After they report back, it will be over to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to decide the next move.

The push remains within Labor to kick any euthanasia laws over to the Queensland Law Reform Commission as happened with abortion reform.

Should the Government do that, it will mean any euthanasia laws would not be introduced or debated until after the 2020 election.

Voluntary assisted dying law campaigners are still pushing to have it dealt with this year.

Clem Jones Trust chairman David Muir insisted again this week that if it is this Parliament that is charged with holding the inquiry, it should be this Parliament that deals with its findings.

And he has a point.

Polls have shown about 80 per cent of Queenslanders support or strongly support allowing access to voluntary assisted dying for the terminally ill.

MPs on the fence should only need this parliamentary inquiry, not an additional Law Reform Commission probe and then an election to make up their minds.