Health Minister pleads with anti-euthanasia activists to leave terminal patients alone

Victoria’s health minister is pleading for “cruel” anti-euthanasia activists to leave terminal patients alone and target the state’s politicians instead.

The Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre. Picture: David Caird

Victoria’s Health Minister has made an impassioned plea to “cruel” anti-euthanasia ­activists to leave terminally ill patients alone and target the state’s politicians instead.

In an open letter to protesters who have ambushed vulnerable patients and staff at the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre and The Alfred hospital in recent weeks, Minister Jenny Mikakos called for them to move their activities to the steps of parliament.

“We’ve seen a group of individuals use their right to protest, not on the steps of parliament, but outside the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre and The Alfred hospital, where brave Victorians and their families go for treatment and care,” Ms Mik­akos said.

TERMINAL CANCER PATIENTS AMBUSHED BY ACTIVISTS

VOLUNTARY ASSISTED DYING SCHEME PASSES VICTORIAN PARLIAMENT

MOVES TO ESTABLISH EUTHANASIA DOCTOR TRAINING BODY UNDERWAY

Health minister Jenny Mikakos. Picture: Tony Gough

“Victorians fighting cancer and their anxious families deserve our support … they all deserve better than being harassed and intimidated.

“Protesting about voluntary assisted dying outside a cancer hospital, or any hospital for that matter, is insensitive and cruel.”

Ms Mikakos spoke to protesters outside a voluntary assisted dying conference in Melbourne yesterday.

In Nov­ember 2017, Victoria became the first Australian state to pass legislation granting those with a terminal illness and less than six months to live the right to end their life.

In the lead-up to the law being enforced in June, activists have targeted the hospitals and handed out leaflets attacking state-sanctioned “executions”.

Ms Mikakos said that many people with a terminal illness faced a deeply personal choice over the manner of their death and should not be the target of political protests.

“It’s a private decision they should make with their doctors and with their family and loved ones — not with street corner protesters shouting as they come and go, making them feel even more anxious,” she said.

“That’s why anyone who disagrees with this legislation should protest peacefully and respectfully at Parliament House. Not outside our hospitals, where sick and vulnerable Victorians, their families, nurses and doctors are working around the clock to beat cancer, one patient at a time.”

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THE LETTER FROM JENNY MIKAKOS, MINISTER FOR HEALTH

Protest at parliament, not at our health services.

The freedom to protest is a hallmark of our democracy that we all enjoy and should defend.

It’s the way we show decision makers what we think and that our voices matter.

As a proud and passionate activist who stands up for what I believe in, I’ve taken to the streets to protest on more than a few occasions.

In fact, just last year, I joined thousands of Victorians who rallied together to change the rules and improve workers’ rights. That rally ended exactly where it should – the steps of Parliament, where decision makers meet.

In recent weeks, we’ve seen a group of individuals use their right to protest, not on the steps of Parliament, but outside the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre and the Alfred Hospital, where brave Victorians and their families go for treatment and care.

The Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre. Picture: David Caird

Victorians fighting cancer and their anxious families deserve our support; their dedicated nurses and doctors deserve our admiration – they all deserve better than being harassed and intimidated.

Regardless of your views, protesting about voluntary assisted dying outside a cancer hospital, or any hospital for that matter, is insensitive and cruel. It also risks sending a message that everyone with cancer is dying.

Cancer patients are fighting to live – to beat this insidious disease. Thanks to their determination and the work of our amazing medical researchers and health professionals, many will return to full health.

For some, the outcome will be terminal – and they will be faced with a deeply personal choice over the manner of their death. It’s a private decision they should make with their doctors and with their family and loved ones – not with street corner protesters shouting as they come and go, making them feel even more anxious.

The Victorian Parliament passed historic voluntary assisted dying laws in 2017 so Victorians can make a clear choice as they arrive at their end of life. It was a long, detailed and spirited debate and everyone had their say, but ultimately, the outcome reflected the will of the Parliament – and the will of the Victorian people who overwhelmingly support it.

We have passed the world’s most conservative laws, with many safeguards to give people a choice. We know from other countries who have similar laws that patients who choose to make this decision, often do so in their own home surrounded by their families – which makes protesters targeting our health services even more misguided.

That’s why anyone who disagrees with this legislation should protest peacefully and respectfully at Parliament House.

Not outside our hospitals, where sick and vulnerable Victorians, their families, nurses and doctors are working around the clock to beat cancer, one patient at a time. The debate about voluntary assisted dying does not belong at their doorstep – it belongs at ours.