Euthanasia Bill Debated in Tasmanian Parliament

7 年前

A Tasmanian Labor MP introduced a bill on Wednesday, May 24, that would legalise assisted suicide, saying people were “sick and tired of hearing the stories” of suffering.

Lara Giddings spoke outside state Parliament in Hobart ahead of the debate, calling on Tasmania to join Canada, eight American states and several European countries that allow voluntary euthanasia in certain cases.

“We want a choice and we want our politicians to show compassion and strength and leadership on this issue and to stand up and provide a legal framework in which these decisions can be made and that is what we are trying to do here today,” Giddings told onlookers.

According to the ABC, the bill would allow patients suffering from certain medical conditions to access a euthanasia drug, if they are found to be mentally competent.

It was the third time in history the bill was debated in Tasmanian Parliament, The Advocate reported. Credit: Lara Giddings via Storyful