News Item

Qld Government promotes killing over care

Look no further – the slippery slope is already here.

Proposed legislation for assisted suicide laws will be tabled in Queensland’s parliament this coming week with a vote expected in September after a 12 week period of consultation. Reports indicate that this legislation will be the most liberal euthanasia laws in our nation, with the following inclusions:

(https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/mental-trauma-now-grounds-for-euthanasia-in-queensland-draft-law/news-story/5ff1c7c9b31fbbfe89cb42bccba88832)

Despite Palliative Care Queensland and Australian Medical Association Queensland’s advice that an extra $275m is required each year to deliver quality, accessible palliative care services for all Queenslanders, the focus on providing good quality palliative care is sadly lacking, with a massive funding deficit required to give equal access to palliative care across the state.

With one of the highest suicide rates in the nation – and with suicide being the leading cause of death for Australians between 15 and 44 – a question that needs to be asked is when did we, as a humane society, ever accept the lie that suicide is the dignified way to end your life?

Assisted suicide invites coercion and puts vulnerable people at risk of abuse. It is not difficult to foresee frail elderly people feeling like they are a ‘burden’ on others due to financial concerns or family dynamics.

Every Queenslander wants to see expert care and pain relief provided for those who are suffering. Putting them to death is not the answer. Expert palliative care is. Until that is provided for every Queenslander, the talk of assisting them to suicide is not compassionate, it is cruel.

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