27th August, 2014
The NSW Council of Churches has expressed its opposition to a draft bill expected to go before the Senate next year which seeks to legalise euthanasia.
The council said the Greens’ draft bill makes for "bad law" for four reasons: that the taking of innocent human life "dishonors God" and irreparably harms the common good; that legalising euthanasia may undermine trust between a doctor and patient and the moral integrity of the medical profession; that legislation cannot "guarantee" protection of vulnerable persons from abuse and coercion; and, that past attempts to legalise euthanasia in Australia have "failed for good reasons".
Council president Rev Dr Ross Clifford said the issue is "not just a matter of individual ‘rights’ but about the shape of society and community wellbeing".
He added that it was "poor form" to call the proposed legislation the Medical Services (Dying with Dignity) Bill "when what it actually seeks is freedom from prosecution for medical doctors who intentionally kill their patients".
A draft of the bill was tabled in June and has been referred to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee with a report due in October. The closing date for submissions to the committee was 21st August.
– DAVID ADAMS
