2016-10-19
Adrian Price
Currently in the media and for a number of years, we have heard of persons with terminal illness dying an agonising death. Often while they still have the energy they will try to commit suicide and an unsuccessful suicide only prolongs the agony to that person and distress to family and friends.
There have been cases of doctors who have helped a patient have the best death but the doctors are then regarded with suspicion even to the point of being gaoled.
Before the 2016 Federal election, I sent an email to the 53 WA Senate candidates for whom I had email contacts. The email was asking their personal or Party position on voluntary euthanasia. 23 replies were received, none from Liberal and Labor.
The supporters for VE were one National, six Greens, Australian Cyclists, Mature Australia, Health Australia, Australia First, Liberal Democrats and Julie Matheson (Ind).
The negatives were Australian Liberty Alliance, Rise Up Australia, Democratic Labour Party and Australian Christians.
We often hear that religious groups are automatically opposed to VE. A mainstream church in Adelaide formed 'Christians Choice for Voluntary Euthanasia. This group is Australia wide and has members from all Australian churches. The last time Robin Chapple MLC was preparing to present his Bill on VE, Christians for Voluntary Euthanasia liaised with Robin and sent five different letters to all WA MPs. They have again offered support to Robin and WA Greens.
If the owner of a dog allowed their dog to die a long and horrible death, the owner would be fined because such cruelty is illegal.
We want the choice to have a peaceful and dignified death rather than prolonged agony.
For further information contact WAVES (WA Voluntary Euthanasia Society) email:info@waves.org.au internet:www.waves.org.au
Photo credit: http://www.wallconvert.com