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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2011-02-24 Daily Xml
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VOLUNTARY EUTHANASIA BILL

Second Reading

Adjourned debate on second reading.

(Continued from 1 July 2010.)

Dr McFETRIDGE (Morphett) (11:27): This is a very important issue for all South Australians, and I mean all South Australians from all backgrounds and all religious points of view. The bottom line, though, is that, as this house is aware, another bill has been introduced by the member for Ashford.

The member for Ashford and I have been consulting with a number of parties including the government minister (the Minister for Health) on the best way forward, because we know there are serious concerns out there in the community about whether we should be introducing legislation to allow voluntary euthanasia in South Australia. I, for one, am committed to advancing this whole issue. Over 75 per cent of my constituents, in responses to surveys and when just talking to them around the place, are in strong support of having the choice. This is not compulsory: this is all about choice.

The Hon. M.J. Atkinson interjecting:

Dr McFETRIDGE: And we hear the member for Croydon again. He did not disappoint me. He has been disparaging about some of my views in the past but that will not change my attitude to giving South Australians a choice, as we do in the Liberal Party. We do not want to make people in South Australia victims of poor legislation. That is why we need to consider this legislation very carefully. As a result of further discussions with the member for Ashford and the Minister for Health, we will be moving forward with another bill in this place.

I appreciate the member for Fisher's passion and dedication to giving people in his electorate, and also all South Australians, a choice on this issue. While I am in support of this particular bill, the fact is that it probably will not progress in this house. I should not pre-empt the house, but it probably will not progress, and the bill that has been put on the Notice Paper by the member for Ashford and seconded by me will be the one that will be mainly dealt with.

It may not do everything that advocates for voluntary euthanasia want, but it certainly will be a big step forward and will make sure that the people who are going to look at what they can do to die with dignity are able to do so. That is what this should be all about. It is not compulsory: it is pro choice. That is what we should be about in this place—assisting all those in society to make that choice and, if they do not like it, it is not compulsory.

Debate adjourned on motion of Mrs Geraghty.

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