Chapple in new euthanasia bid – The West Australian

WA Greens MLC Robin Chapple has vowed to push ahead with another bid to legalise voluntary euthanasia after Health Minister Roger Cook called for terminally ill patients to have the right to end their lives.

Mr Chapple, a passionate campaigner for voluntary euthanasia, said yesterday he was planning to meet Labor MP Alannah MacTiernan in coming weeks to discuss the drafting of a fresh Bill which he said the pair planned to jointly introduce to Parliament.

Mr Chapple, who unsuccessfully brought legislation on voluntary euthanasia to Parliament in 2001 and again in 2010, said there had since been a complete change on all sides of the political spectrum.

Mr Cook said at the weekend there was a growing demand for the legalisation of medically assisted suicide for terminally ill patients and he wanted the WA public to have a considered and informed debate reforming the law.

He said the Labor Government would not introduce law reform as part of a policy but would support individual members tabling a private members Bill.

Mr Chapple said Mr Cooks comments set the train in a good political position.

Weve got four years and we would like to see a plan to make sure its debated well into that period so that we can actually finalise the legislation well before the next election, he said.

This is very much about peoples conscience, and I think the new minister has indicated that this will be a conscience vote.

I think as we move forward, as we become a more mature and developed society, people will see the justification in providing some compassion at the end of peoples lives.

Mr Chapple said he hoped a Liberal MP would join him and Ms MacTiernan to introduce the Bill.

Australian Medical Association WA president Andrew Miller said it was important medical professionals were engaged before new legislation was introduced.

If there was to be legislation, the important thing is to make sure there are very good options for people and that euthanasia is not used as a substitute for proper palliative care and proper nursing care for all members of the community, not just the well-off, he said.

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Chapple in new euthanasia bid - The West Australian