9th May, 2013
Churches in New South Wales have called on members of the NSW Parliament’s Upper House to vote against a private member’s bill which would legalise voluntary euthanasia.
The Rights of the Terminally Ill Bill was introduced to the state’s Upper House by Greens MP Cate Faehrmann last week. It is reportedly expected that members of both the government and opposition will be granted a conscience vote on the issue.
In a statement, Rev Dr Ross Clifford, president of the NSW Council of Churches, described the bill as "dangerous" and said that if passed, it would "redefine the value of the lives of some people as not worth living".
“This bill will enshrine the right to kill and be killed in NSW law," he said. "It will endanger disabled people who cannot speak for themselves, and who may be seen as an unnecessary burden by their family or the state. We cannot be sure the proposed law will never be extended to include incapacitated patients."
Noting that the Bible "makes it clear that human life and human dignity must be protected", Rev Dr Clifford called on the NSW Government to "improve resources for palliative care so that terminally ill patients in our community receive the care and comfort they deserve at the end of life to minimise suffering.”
– DAVID ADAMS
