First Australian state passes law permitting euthanasia

By Paulina Duran

 

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Victoria on Wednesday became the first state in Australia to allow terminally ill patients to end their life as its legislature passed a euthanasia law that other states are expected to use as a template.

 

The legislation, to come into effect in June 2019, will make it legal for any resident of the southeastern state with a terminal illness and with less than six months to live to request a lethal dose of medication.

 

Sufferers of some conditions, such as motor neurone disease and multiple sclerosis, can request a lethal dose even if they have been given up to a year to live.

 

"The implementation of the bill ... will give people hope and compassion, and that a good death will in fact be possible for people who are currently enduring difficult, difficult ends of life," Victoria's Health Minister Jill Hennessy said outside the state legislature in Melbourne after the lower house approved a law that had already cleared the upper house.

 

Many countries have legalised euthanasia, including Canada, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and some states in the United States, although the Australian government opposes it.

 

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) opposes physician-assisted suicide, arguing that better palliative care can address pain and other symptoms of distress.

 

The Victorian legislation sparked heated parliamentary exchanges, including a marathon 27-hour state parliament debate earlier in November.

 

The remote Northern Territory, which does not hold Australian statehood, became the first jurisdiction in the world to legalise euthanasia in 1995, but the laws were overturned by the federal government in 1997.

 

(Reporting by Paulina Duran; Editing by Jonathan Barrett and Simon Cameron-Moore)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-11-29

Good to hear.

 

No doubt other states and countries will eventually allow those who are suffering (and only have a short time to live) the right to die painlessly - but eventually is the operative word .

Of course the AMA would oppose this bill. They and the drug companies make too much money out of keeping people alive (if you can call it living)!!!

31 minutes ago, rodney earl said:

Of course the AMA would oppose this bill. They and the drug companies make too much money out of keeping people alive (if you can call it living)!!!

BS. It's the lawyers that cause the problems.

 

Time to let people decide their own fate. Congrats to this Aussie state!

2 hours ago, rodney earl said:

Of course the AMA would oppose this bill. They and the drug companies make too much money out of keeping people alive (if you can call it living)!!!

...a Dunlopillo..then sweet release.

5 hours ago, rodney earl said:

Of course the AMA would oppose this bill. They and the drug companies make too much money out of keeping people alive (if you can call it living)!!!

Drs like to make money as much as anyone else, and they ain't going to do so if their patients can just opt for the pill instead of paying out over and over just to renew a prescription. They've got it all sewn up in NZ. At least in the UK a pensioner doesn't have to pay themselves to see the GP. However, sooner or later the taxpayer will call time on the bottomless pit of the NHS.