The Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill was introduced by the Victorian Government and passed by the Victorian Parliament in 2017. On 19 June 2019, the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act comes into effect, allowing for euthanasia and assisted suicide in the State of Victoria. The Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne believes allowing physician assisted suicide and euthanasia is not in the best interests of the community and will have wide-reaching ramifications that go far beyond those terminally ill.
Euthanasia and assisted suicide must be distinguished from the decision to forego medical procedures that no longer correspond to the needs of the patient (disproportionate, overly burdensome or futile treatment). It is not euthanasia to provide adequate pain relief – even sedation if necessary. The intention to relieve pain is noble and ethically sound medical practice. The intention to kill a person is entirely different.
Legally sanctioning euthanasia or assisted suicide would radically change health care and impact everyone – not just the doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other health professionals directly involved. It would ultimately harm us all.
Euthanasia always involves a second person and is therefore a public act with public consequences. One person assisting the death of another is a matter of significant public concern because it can lead to abuse, exploitation and erosion of care for vulnerable people. Euthanasia and assisted suicide can never be safe. Because those terminally ill (and others in the community) are vulnerable to powerful feelings of fear, depression, loneliness, not wanting to be a burden, and even to coercion from family members, no law can adequately protect them from euthanasia if it is available.
Disability advocate Liz Carr recently voiced her concerns to Victorian MPs
End of Life Choices Inquiry
Ministerial Advisory Panel
