The Australian Christian Lobby have expressed concern over what they describe as a “culture of death” in Queensland after the State Government announced a parliamentary inquiry to consider assisted suicide legislation.
The announcement, which came on Wednesday, has already sparked a strong response from a range of groups opposed to euthanasia. It comes in the wake of the recent passing of laws in the state legalising abortion.
Wendy Francis, Queensland state director of the ACL, said the Labor Government’s “culture of death is concerning”.
“No sooner have they legalised the most progressive abortion legislation in Australia, the government now want to target another group of vulnerable people.”
“We know from international experience that wherever assisted suicide has been legalised, vulnerable people die. Just this week, a Dutch doctor was charged after she slipped sleeping pills into a patient’s coffee and then asked the family to hold the struggling elderly woman down as she was euthanised.”
Francis said the Federal Government’s recent announcement of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety showed there are already issues with the treatment of elderly people.
“The government would do better to consider additional funding for palliative care services and aged care facilities.”
Victoria passed assisted dying legislation last year and, as Australia’s only assisted dying scheme, it comes into effect in mid-2019.
In Western Australia, meanwhile, the ACL is also encouraging MPs to oppose a voluntary euthanasia bill expected to go before State Parliament there next year.
“Assisted suicide alters the doctor-patient relationship entirely,” said ACL state director Peter Abetz. “If death can be considered a valid and legal medical treatment the inherent value for life in society will undoubtedly change.”
The Queensland inquiry is required to report back to State Parliament by 30th November next year.