Ministerial Statement

VOLUNTARY EUTHANASIA

The Hon. J.D. HILL (Kaurna—Minister for Health, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister for the Southern Suburbs, Minister Assisting the Premier in the Arts) (14:07): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.D. HILL: It is possible that members of parliament this week will be asked to consider private member's legislation relating to voluntary euthanasia. The bill, as members would know, goes through a range of measures and seeks to allow terminally ill South Australians to access means for which to end their lives.

Today, I have just tabled advice I have received from the Department of Health which identifies practical issues with this bill. I asked parliamentary counsel to draft an alternative amendment, which I have tabled today, which members might like to consider. I will also ask the Department of Health to review this amendment and its practical implications.

Mr WILLIAMS: On a point of order, I think it is out of order for the minister to use a ministerial statement to pre-empt debate on a bill that is before the house.

The SPEAKER: He is not debating. He is just telling you what he is planning on doing this week. I don't think it is pre-empting debate. He is not debating it. If he was debating it, I would sit him down.