Former Premier supports Euthanasia push – Ten Eyewitness News

Euthanasia has long been debated in Australia on both sides, and now former longtime Victorian Premier Steve Bracks has thrown his support behind the Andrews governments campaign to legalise the assisted-dying method.

Mr Bracks, Victorias second-longest-serving premier from 1999 to 2007, is a Catholic and was widely regarded as a conservative during his time in power.

Speaking on the topic, Mr Bracks recognised that during his stint as Premier, the timing wasnt right to put forward to the bill, even though he has long been a supporter.

I think it would be a sensible and appropriate change, done well and considered well, Mr Bracks told The Australian.

I think its good timing, it is an appropriate and sensible reform, one which is not without controversy but one which should go ahead.

His comments come as an Independent panel works on recommendations for a framework that will be Australias first attempt at government-supported legislation on assisted suicide.

This panel is expected to hand down its finding within the next few weeks, and The Australian reports a bill could even be tabled in the Victorian Parliament as early as the week of August 22nd.

There has been a parliamentary committee which has worked on this in Victoria and the product of that work will be extremely useful in finding a way forward and one which can allow for the consideration of parliament.

The proposed legislation would contain strict criteria, with eligibility for euthanasia limited to Australians who are suffering from a serious and incurable condition.

It is expected the legislation would be amongst the most conservative euthanasia models in the world, and those wishing to undertake must request three times to die, including once in writing.

Mr Bracks backed a conservative approach to euthanasia, citing concerns over the potential for families to coerce vulnerable patients into assisted-suicide.

If it is done well and effectively with proper and appropriate referrals that will not be the case and I think that is the experience internationally; across Scandinavia that has not occurred, he said.

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Former Premier supports Euthanasia push - Ten Eyewitness News