The Western Australian Parliament will begin debating the highly controversial Voluntary Euthanasia Bill on Tuesday, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
Greens MP Robin Chapple has introduced a private members bill which would allow any Western Australian over 21 and of “sound mind” to elect to be euthanized.
Under the bill, a request for the administration of euthanasia would only apply to a person who has a terminal illness that will cause death within two years and is experiencing debilitating pain.
The request must be assessed by two independent and experienced medical practitioners, before being reviewed by a third practitioner, who could then carry out the euthanasia.
Both the Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett and Opposition Leader Eric Ripper will allow a conscience vote on the issue.
If parliament passes the bill, Western Australia will be the nation’s first state to legalise euthanasia.
While Mr Chapple believes that the majority of Western Australians support the bill, the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) is campaigning against it, saying that most Christians are opposed to it.
In a statement released today, ACL WA Director Michelle Pearse said, “In consulting with churches and Christian leaders in WA, as well as elsewhere, we have been left in no doubt that the vast majority of Christians are opposed to euthanasia.”
Greens MP Robin Chapple has introduced a private members bill which would allow any Western Australian over 21 and of “sound mind” to elect to be euthanized.
Under the bill, a request for the administration of euthanasia would only apply to a person who has a terminal illness that will cause death within two years and is experiencing debilitating pain.
The request must be assessed by two independent and experienced medical practitioners, before being reviewed by a third practitioner, who could then carry out the euthanasia.
Both the Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett and Opposition Leader Eric Ripper will allow a conscience vote on the issue.
If parliament passes the bill, Western Australia will be the nation’s first state to legalise euthanasia.
While Mr Chapple believes that the majority of Western Australians support the bill, the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) is campaigning against it, saying that most Christians are opposed to it.
In a statement released today, ACL WA Director Michelle Pearse said, “In consulting with churches and Christian leaders in WA, as well as elsewhere, we have been left in no doubt that the vast majority of Christians are opposed to euthanasia.”
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