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Thursday, 11 September 2008
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In the shadow of the abortion Bill passing the Lower House, there is a ray of hope in form of the rejection of the controversial euthanasia Bill.
State MPs vote down euthanasia bill
The Age, David Rood, September 11, 2008
CONTROVERSIAL legislation giving terminally ill people the right to die with the help of a doctor has been rejected in the Victorian Parliament. The upper house yesterday voted down the private member's bill — 25 votes to 13 — following months of passionate and emotional debate from MPs. Planning Minister Justin Madden, Treasurer John Lenders and Liberal upper house leader David Davis were among prominent MPs to use their conscience vote to defeat the bill.
The euthanasia legislation, which was co-sponsored by Greens MP Colleen Hartland and Liberal MP Ken Smith, won the support of the Greens as well as Environment Minister Gavin Jennings and former Liberal upper house leader Philip Davis.
Last night, Ms Hartland expressed disappointment at the bill's defeat, saying euthanasia was happening all the time, with doctors assisting people to die.
Ms Hartland also took a swipe at fellow MPs who said they supported euthanasia but could not back the bill. "I'm not sure why some of those people did that … maybe they thought because Mr Brumby doesn't support euthanasia … they would be risking their political careers," she said.
"I don't think these kinds of bills are electorally damaging."
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