Amendments, debate may slow euthanasia law passage
The need to make further changes to the state’s proposed right-to-die laws could mean debate drags on – and opponents of the bill are warning against haste. LATEST >>
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PROPOSED right-to-die laws will require amendments that may slow their passage through the House of Assembly, the MP sponsoring the bill says.
The University of Tasmania on Monday released its report (below) on the operation of the bill and similar laws interstate.
The legislation is at the top of the notice paper when parliament resumes next week, but Bass MP Sarah Courtney says drafting and debating amendments will take time.
“Obviously, there will need to be a number of amendments so it’s my intention this week to put my head down and make sure that we can come up with the best possible legislation that is the safest for Tasmanians,” she said.
“I’m not going to pre-empt how long the committee stage will take that will end up being for other members and ultimately the number of amendments that have moved.
“In terms of the conduct of the debate that will be at the will of the house, but I’ll be ready to start that debate next Tuesday morning.”
The government has allowed its members a conscience vote on the matter, revealing a schism between conservative and moderate MPs.
Member for Clark Elise Archer yesterday joined her colleague Michael Ferguson in expressing continued reservations about the bill — some of which she said were “insurmountable”.
“The 139 risks raised by the [government] agencies alone are enough to cause great concern, especially given the limited time available before this bill is before the House of Assembly next week.
Labor leader Rebecca White said parliament should work swiftly to make the bill law.
“The debate in the Upper House was extensive,” she said.
“We do head back to parliament next week, so it’s a short period of time to process what’s in that report.
“The Member for Bass Sarah Courtney has indicated that there will be amendments that she proposes to move next week, but she hasn’t yet circulated those, which does leave the time available for members to assess that against the current bill a little bit tight.”
House of Assembly members voted 17-7 in favour of the bill during the last sitting week in early December.
The legislation will allow people who are suffering from advanced, incurable and irreversible conditions which are expected to cause their death within six months to end their own lives.
It would only apply to people aged over 18 who have been Tasmanian residents for at least 12 months.
MP Roger Jaensch said he would be carefully considering the University of Tasmania report.
“Definitely. We sought that information for a purpose. We’re all going to read it and digest it and make decisions in our own ways — that’s the individual responsibility of every member of our parliament,” he said.
“We’ve committed to bringing this on as the first order of business when parliament resumes. “The debate will take the time it takes, people will take their time to assimilate the information and ask questions as well.”
Live and Die Well spokesman Ben Smith said the University of Tasmania report had revealed the bill to be a “plethora of inconsistencies, ambiguities and obscurities”.
“It has highlighted 139 problems with the bill and a number of major risks that will compromise the protection of vulnerable Tasmanians,” he said.
“The protection of vulnerable Tasmanians will be compromised if this bill is rushed through the House of Assembly next week.”
Three issues with the Voluntary Assisted Dying bill
Blair Richards
February 22, 2021
A UNIVERSITY of Tasmania review of Tasmania’s proposed voluntary assisted dying (VAD) scheme has identified points that will need consideration if the scheme is passed into law.
VAD legislation tabled by independent Mersey MLC Mike Gaffney is yet to undergo a final vote in the House of Assembly.
Premier Peter Gutwein asked an independent panel from the university conduct a review of the End-of-Life Choices (Voluntary Assisted Dying) Bill 2020.
The university’s 114-page report, released late on Monday, identified three aspects of the Bill that required further consideration:
- WHETHER the safeguards included in the Bill to protect vulnerable people were appropriately balanced with the need to establish a VAD system.
- WHETHER the proposed regime for organisational non-participation balanced the need to promote individual access to VAD.
- HOW guidelines for professional practice within the VAD scheme should be administered.
Duelling press releases came from the government media office following the report’s release.
Mr Gutwein, who supported the legislation, said all Members of parliament had been provided with the review and advice from government agencies.
“This is in line with the commitment I made last year, and will allow all Members to be fully informed on the Bill to ensure that if passed, the legislation is the best law possible and that it affords real protections for the most vulnerable in our community,” Mr Gutwein said.
Infrastructure and former health minister Michael Ferguson, a conservative MP who opposed the legislation, said the review raised more questions than answers.
“Many people will be surprised to find how a Bill so problematic was ever described as safe and strong,” Mr Ferguson said.
“For the heads of Health, Justice and Police to find 139 problems with the Bill proves that there remains a massive task ahead before any responsible parliament could pass it into law in just one week from now.”
The legislation will be the first order of business for the House of Assembly when state parliament resumes next week.
Originally published as Amendments, debate may slow euthanasia law passage
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