VOLUNTARY EUTHANASIA

The Hon. S.W. KEY (Ashford) (15:25): Each year the South Australian Voluntary Euthanasia Society convenes a demonstration on the steps of Parliament House to commemorate the life and death of voluntary euthanasia law reformer Shirley Nolan OBE and all the people who have been forced to die at their own hand when facing unbearable suffering. Yesterday supporters were there again campaigning to make South Australian members of parliament listen to the fact that voluntary euthanasia is something that they support.

I was concerned when I read the history of this legislation in South Australia. In 1995 a voluntary euthanasia bill was introduced in the House of Assembly by Labor member John Quirke. This legislation was rejected without debate, 31 votes to 13. Following this, there was a parliamentary select committee that eventually led to what is a very important piece of legislation, the Consent to Medical Treatment and Palliative Care Act 1995.

Before my time in the parliament, the Hon. Anne Levy in 1996 introduced a voluntary euthanasia bill in the Legislative Council. Although there were significant contributions during the second reading debate, I understand the bill was referred to a select committee. The debate continued, and the Hon. Sandra Kanck in the Legislative Council proposed a referendum on voluntary euthanasia. Because of the election that saw me and many of my colleagues come into the parliament, the bill lapsed.

The Hon. Anne Levy retired and the Hon. Carolyn Pickles in the Legislative Council moved that a select committee—and later the Social Development Committee—be established to consider submissions and take presentations from community organisations. Sadly, in 1999 the Social Development Committee tabled its report with 11 recommendations and, basically, the bill lapsed.

In 2000 the Dignity in Dying Bill was introduced in both houses in November by the Hons Sandra Kanck and Bob Such. We know that in March 2001, the bill was voted into the committee stage in the Legislative Council (10 votes to nine) but it was dismantled by a strategy that was put in place to vote against the objects of the act 12 votes to nine. In 2002 the Dignity in Dying Bill was introduced in the legislative Council by the Hon. Sandra Kanck; and this bill was defeated 13 votes to eight in 2004. In 2003 the Dignity in Dying Bill 2002 was introduced in the lower house by the Hon. Dr Bob Such. It was withdrawn in 2005 because of the impending election. In 2006 the Voluntary Euthanasia Bill was introduced by the Hon. Bob Such and, as members know, it is still on the Notice Paper.

I again raise this issue because one would think that this is an issue which does not have the support of the community. I was reassured as a member of SAVES to see that the five yearly News poll on voluntary euthanasia showed increasing support for voluntary euthanasia all around Australia, with the strongest support in South Australia with 81 per cent in the metropolitan area and 84 per cent support in non-metropolitan areas.

I say to my colleagues in this house: how can this continue when it is obvious that people support responsible voluntary legislation provisions. I take this opportunity to acknowledge the work done by the volunteers and workers associated with SAVES (South Australian Voluntary Euthanasia Society), particularly Frances Coombe and Mary Gallnor.