Residents back Labor’s state election call to legalise voluntary assisted dying
Local residents have overwhelmingly backed the call for voluntary assisted dying, a new online poll from The Chronicle has revealed. Let us know what you think of the issue.
QLD Votes
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Toowoomba residents have overwhelmingly come out in support of voluntary assisted dying.
It comes after the Queensland Labor Government promised to legalise VAD in February if it is re-elected at the October 31 state election.
A poll shared to The Chronicle’s Facebook page this week asked readers simply “do you support legalising euthanasia in Queensland”.
Just over 1100 have voted in the poll, with roughly 1000 of the respondents voting for legalising voluntary assisted dying.
Only 103 people voted against the move.
A number of commenters have shared their own experiences watching loved ones die as to why they are supportive of the plans.
“Two of my grandparents died horrific deaths from cancer,” Toowoomba North Greens candidate Alyce Nelligan said.
“It’s a yes from me.
“No one should be forced to linger in agony for weeks or months. Nothing actually stops the pain of a palliative death.”
Melissa Brown said she lost her father two weeks ago.
He was in great pain and had advanced dementia, he didn’t know us, couldn’t talk, couldn’t eat, had no quality of life,” she said.
“I never want to go through what my dear father went through, I want the choice to die before I get to that stage.”
“I have witnessed friends in last stage of terminal cancer begging to just go to sleep and die with dignity,” Narelle Riding said.
Though not everyone was for the move, with some commenters expressing concerns over the plan.
“Dying people suffer pain because of inadequate pain relief prescribed or given,” Mary Sexton wrote.
“Does that make it morally and ethically right to kill someone placed in that sad situation.”
“Our ill and most vulnerable should never be made to feel they are a burden and cost to our society,” Karen Emma said.
“Laws like this tell people to expect to be put to death by another person if they become ill. “There’s no genuine unconditional love in that.”