CLOSE
Featured
  • End Modern Slavery
  • Ryan Anderson Tour
  • Marriage
Issues
  • Gender & Sexuality
  • Freedoms & Public Christianity
  • Life
  • Family
  • Sexualisation of Society
  • Poverty and Justice
Take Action
  • Volunteer
  • Events
  • Download the app
  • Leadership Development
  • Ryan Anderson Tour
Australian Christian Lobby
End Modern Slavery Ryan Anderson Tour Marriage
Menu
Sign In
Donate

Pages tagged "assisted dying"


UK's House of Lords debate assisted dying bill

Posted on Blog · July 24, 2014 10:00 AM

EuthanasiaThe United Kingdom's House of Lords last week debated a proposed assisted dying bill that would allow doctors to prescribe lethal drugs to patients who have less than six months to live.



The bill, proposed by the former lord chancellor Charles Falconer, attracted an almost even split in the House, with around 65 peers speaking in favour of the bill, and 62 against.



The legislation will unlikely be made law due to time constraints, but the House agreed to move the bill to its next stage in parliament for further debate.



Amongst those who spoke in opposition to the bill was former cabinet minister Norman Tebbit who shared his concern about the bill becoming a means for people with financial incentives to end the lives of the frail, elderly and sick. He also shared the personal experience of his wife who was crippled almost 30 years ago in the IRA Brighton bombing. He said,



"Those who care for such people are all too familiar with the moments of black despair, which prompt those words 'I would be better dead so that you could get on with your life."[1]



Former MP Emma Nicholson labelled the legislation as "malign" and said should it be made law, it would create a "state death department."



Baroness Jane Campbell, former commissioner of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, spoke from her wheelchair with a respiratory aid condemning the bill. She said,



"The Bill purports to offer choice – the option of premature death instead of pain, suffering and disempowerment – but it is a false choice. It is that of the burglar who offers to mug you instead."[2]



Recently in Australia, pro-euthanasia advocate Dr Philip Nitschke has come under fire for allegedly assisting a man in ending his life, and could be suspended from practicing medicine.



Last week, ACL's Katherine Spackman interviewed Associate Professor Patrick McArdle from the Australian Catholic University about euthanasia in light of these recent events. Listen to the interview here.



-------------------------



[1]Mason, R, 2014, House of Lords debate evenly split over assisted dying legislation, The Guardian, http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/jul/18/assisted-dying-legalisation-debate-house-lords, para. 9.



[2] Borkett-Jones, L, 2014, Peers split in Lords debate on assisted dying, Christian Today, http://www.christiantoday.com/article/peers.split.in.lords.debate.on.assisted.dying/38971.htm, para. 11.


Mark Brown on the Political Spot

Posted on Blog · February 05, 2013 11:00 AM
Mark Brown is the Tasmanian Director of the Australian Christian Lobby. He spoke to the ACL's Katherine Spackman about the discussion paper released in the state on euthanasia.

Sign in with Facebook Sign in with Twitter Sign in with Email


Get instant access to news about political issues facing christians
Get Involved
Donate Volunteer Survey
Australian Christian Lobby
Who we are
Media
Our board
Submissions
Twitter
Facebook
Contact Us
Privacy Policy

Authorised by Martyn Iles
Australian Christian Lobby
4 Campion Street, Deakin ACT
Australia 2600

© 2018

ACLobby
Follow @ACLobby on Twitter