Doctor Philip Nitschke demonstrates the use of his suicide machine to cancer sufferer Cath Ringwood while in Tasmania for the euthanasia debate in parliament.
A DRAFT bill to legalise euthanasia tabled in the Senate is set to spearhead a controversial new campaign about dying with dignity.
The draft bill would make it legal for doctors to prescribe and administer an end of life substance.
Two doctors and a psychiatrist would have to sign off on the prescription of the drug to people dying of terminal diseases who wish to end their lives.
Greens health spokesman and medico Senator Richard Di Natale tabled the bill eighteen years after a law making euthanasia legal in the Northern Territory was overturned by federal parliament.
“I think we haven’t got the numbers right now,” Senator Di Natale said.
“We’re starting from a fair way back but that’s because people haven’t heard from the people in this room, haven’t heard their stories.”
The former GP said opinion polls showed there was 80 per cent popular support for this reform.
The draft bill relies on Section 51 of the Australian Constitution which gives the federal parliament the power to legislate regarding medical services.
Putting euthanasia back on the table … Richard Di Natale introduces a new bill. Source: Supplied
The bill sets up a “dying with dignity medical service” and authorises medical practitioners to prescribe, prepare and/or administer a substance that would assist a terminally ill person to end their life in a humane manner.
Under the bill the federal government would pay for this service as it would for other medical services and also indemnifies doctors from prosecution by the states.
Euthanasia advocate … Dr Philip Nitschke pictured with a Euthanasia Drug Test Kit and an empty bottle of “Pentomax” known also known as Nembutal Source: News Limited
He is planning to set up a Senate inquiry into the issue which will consider the draft legislation tabled yesterday.
A group of terminally ill patients met with MPs from all major parties in Canberra on Tuesday to plead for the legalisation of euthanasia.
Max Bromson whose cancer has spread to his bones and left him in a wheelchair says he has made the choice to end his life when the pain gets too great.
“I am now at peace with knowing that when I can’t handle the pain any more I’ve discussed it with my family and the decision is made,” he told MPs in Canberra.
Cath Ringwood who suffers from leukaemia says she feels a “sense of relief” after opting for euthanasia.
“I’ve gained a feeling of regaining control that a terminal illness robs you of,” she told the meeting.
Wanting to go with dignity … Euthanasia Party supporter Max Bromson, who is dying of cancer. Source: News Limited
Peter Short, nephew of former Victorian Senator Jim Short, told politicians he wanted them to take the lead in the euthanasia debate.
“You guys have got to drive it from the top … I voted for people to put them in this crystal palace to do stuff,” he said.
Liberal MP Kevin Andrews, who is now the minister for Social Services, authored the Euthanasia Laws Bill 1996 to overrule Northern Territory legislation that legalised euthanasia.