NICK McKIM Call for Conscience Vote for All MPs www.tas.greens.org.au

Tasmanian Greens leader, Nick McKim MP, will table a Private Member’s Bill in the House of Assembly tomorrow (Tuesday) to decriminalise and regulate voluntary euthanasia for terminally ill people in Tasmania.

Mr McKim said his Dying with Dignity Bill 2009 is based on the values of compassion and respect for human dignity, and has numerous safeguards against misuse.

Mr McKim said that the safeguards in his Bill include:

· Only available to people who are terminally ill and suffering intolerable pain;

· Only available to people who are assessed by a psychiatrist as being mentally competent to make an informed decision;

· Only available to people who are assessed by a palliative care expert to confirm that their suffering cannot be treated and relieved;

· Only available to people who are resident of Tasmania;

· Significant cooling off periods to ensure proper consideration.

“Some terminally ill people want to die a dignified and peaceful death with medical assistance, but tragically the law currently forces them to die an agonising and often humiliating death,” Mr McKim said.

“It’s time for the law to reflect the values of compassion, respect for human dignity, and freedom of choice, which I believe are held by the overwhelming majority of Tasmanians.”

“Opinion polls have consistently shown overwhelming support for voluntary euthanasia in Australia, and it is time that Parliaments caught up with public opinion on this issue.”

“My Bill has numerous safeguards to ensure that it only applies to people who have been carefully assessed by specialists and psychiatrists as suffering from a terminal illness and intolerable pain.”

Mr McKim said that his Bill is designed to complement Tasmania’s palliative care system, not to replace it.

“The simple fact is that despite the best efforts of the fantastic doctors and nurses working in Tasmania’s palliative care system, some people with terminal illnesses suffer so intolerably that nothing can ease their pain.”

Mr McKim said that if the Liberal and Labor Parties grant their MPs a conscience vote on his Bill, it has a very good chance of passing through the Tasmanian Parliament.

“If all MPs are able to vote according to their conscience on this issue, I am optimistic it will become law, and Tasmania will reclaim its mantle as a leader on social justice.”

Mr McKim confirmed that Greens MPs would have a conscience vote on the issue.

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Attached:

1. FACT SHEET: DYING WITH DIGNITY, THE BROADER ISSUES

2. The Dying With Dignity Bill 2009, Nick McKim MP