The Labor-Greens led ACT Government should abandon its push to install the most radical assisted suicide laws in the country and rule out plans to allow children and people with dementia to access assisted suicide, according to the Australian Christian Lobby.
Later in the year, ACT MLA’s will have an opportunity to vote against these dangerous laws, which ACT Human Rights Minister Tara Cheyne says should be considered for children as young as 14.
ACL’s ACT Director Rob Norman said, “We welcome the statement today from ACT Liberal Leader Jeremy Hanson that he will vote against the assisted suicide bill. In making that statement Mr Hanson added that ‘Many Canberrans who are open to the concept of euthanasia may be unaware of how radical the ACT’s version of these laws will be.’”
Mr Norman said, “Responsible parents place poisons and dangerous medications ‘out of the reach of children’. If the ACT Government pushes through a suicide bill that allows children to make life ending choices, they are effectively giving kids the keys to the medicine cabinet.
“Children’s minds are not sufficiently formed to make big decisions; the decision to end their life is a bridge too far and must be rejected. ALP & Liberal MLA’s are urged to follow Mr Hanson’s principled stand, even if that means crossing the floor on this ‘conscience vote’ life issue.”
