Campbell Newman attacks Annastacia Palaszczuk over euthanasia laws

Former premier Campbell Newman says Annastacia Palaszczuk has let down thousands of Queenslanders by not bringing controversial laws before Parliament before the next election, saying the laws should be beyond party politics.

FORMER premier Campbell Newman has urged the State Government to bring euthanasia laws before Parliament this term, claiming Annastacia Palaszczuk had let down thousands of people who voiced their opinions during a mammoth inquiry.
Mr Newman, who has previously revealed his disappointment in not acting on the contentious issue when he was in power, said the Government was “undoubtedly” delaying it because of the upcoming October election.

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Ms Palaszczuk this week asked the Queensland Law Reform Commission to draft legislation for the Government to consider after this year’s election.

The Commission will report back by March 2021.

Campbell Newman says Annastacia Palaszczuk has let down the people and that euthanasia laws should be brought before Parliament this term. Picture: Adam Head

Mr Newman said it really concerned him that Ms Palaszczuk “will not deal with this matter”.

“It should come before the Parliament,” he told The Courier-Mail.

“It should be a conscience vote in the Parliament.”

This week’s announcement follows a historic Parliamentary inquiry, which in late March recommended the Government legislate voluntary assisted dying laws.

Almost 5000 submissions were lodged during the inquiry.

Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington has previously revealed she would grant her MPs a conscience vote should laws come before the House, which would thereby give them the option of voting against party policy.

Mr Newman said if the LNP won this year’s election, laws should be introduced and a conscience vote should be allowed.

The former LNP leader said such laws should be beyond party politics.

“This is about people, it’s about their lives and their freedom to decide on how they live or die, when they’re in a terrible situation, incurable illness,” he said.

He said the thousands of people who lodged submissions had been let down.

“They've been let down by the Premier,” he said.

“They had a reasonable expectation that their submissions would be considered and then acted upon, one way or another, accepted or rejected.”

Originally published as Campbell Newman attacks Annastacia Palaszczuk over euthanasia laws