In preparation for the State’s euthanasia laws coming into effect in January 2023, the Qld Labor government is urging the Federal government to change laws which prohibit “inciting or counselling” suicide over the phone or internet.
Current federal legislation prohibits a carriage service being used to transmit suicide-related material which either
- advises or motivates another to commit or attempt to commit suicide; or
- promotes a specific method of committing suicide; or
- provides instructions on a specific method of committing suicide.
Australian Christian Lobby’s Queensland Director Rob Norman said, “Suicide is the leading cause of death among young Australians aged 15–24 and the leading cause of death for Indigenous Australians aged 15 to 35 years. For Indigenous Australians, the suicide death rate is three times higher compared to non-Indigenous Australians.
“Removing laws that reduce the spread of suicide ideation for the sake of a small minority of Australians, the vast majority of whom are non-Indigenous, who want to end their lives is incredibly irresponsible.”
ACL urges the Prime Minister and the Attorney General to govern for the welfare of the majority of Australians and reject this push to promote suicide over the phone and internet.
ENDS
