The West Australian government says it will take a close look at Victoria\u2019s voluntary assisted dying laws in forming its right-to-die legislation.<\/p>\n
The McGowan government plans to introduce the bill, drafted by an 11-member expert panel chaired by former WA governor Malcolm McCusker, next year.<\/p>\n
It follows a parliamentary committee that received about 700 submissions and held 81 public hearings.<\/p>\n
Premier Mark McGowan and Health Minister Roger Cook indicated Victoria\u2019s laws, which passed in an Australian first in November last year, would be closely looked at.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re keeping a very open mind,\u201d Mr Cook told reporters on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m going to examine the safeguards,\u201d Dr Nahan told reporters.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe committee report was wide ranging, they\u2019ve got an excellent person looking at the legislation – we\u2019re treating it objectively.\u201d<\/p>\n
While the Greens appeared to support it, Dr Nahan said he \u201cwouldn\u2019t even hazard a guess about the crossbenchers or let alone my own colleagues\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere will be people who are against it for a variety of reasons, religious and other reasons, and I come from that direction.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut nonetheless as someone whose been through the painful death of loved ones, I understand the issues.<\/p>\n
\u201cI won\u2019t be an advocate.\u201d<\/p>\n
Philip Nitschke, founder of pro-euthanasia group Exit International, said WA should not restrict the laws to those terminally ill or in extreme suffering, or impose arduous requirements to demonstrate eligibility.<\/strong><\/p>\n Dr Nitschke favours the model in Switzerland, where he travelled in July to support Perth academic David Goodall, who did not have a terminal illness but ended his life at age 104, saying he wasn\u2019t enjoying it anymore.<\/strong><\/p>\n Go Gentle Australia founder Andrew Denton commended the WA government for its action so far, saying it was crucial safeguards were built into the system.<\/p>\n WA Liberal MP Nick Goiran provided the committee\u2019s only dissenting minority report, saying \u201cassisted suicide\u201d was a \u201crecipe for elder abuse\u201d.<\/p>\n Other opponents include the Australian Medical Association and Australian Christian Lobby.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The West Australian government says it will take a close look at Victoria\u2019s voluntary assisted dying laws in forming its right-to-die legislation. The McGowan government plans to introduce the bill, drafted by an 11-member expert panel chaired by former WA governor Malcolm McCusker, next year. It follows a parliamentary committee that received about 700 submissions […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n