Page 4395 - Week 15 - Tuesday, 19 November 1991
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But she was discovered in time, an ambulance was called, it was touch and go, and she received not only medical but also counselling and psychiatric care. The Social Policy Committee is very aware of this issue at the moment. In due course - and I am shortening this now - after a considerable length of time, she thanked the person who found her, and she went on to a very rich life, marrying a man with three children whom she helped to bring up, and so on and so on. I could go on.
The point I want to make here is related to the need for individuals who may at one time be sure that they wish to bring their lives to a premature end to recognise that they may subsequently regret that choice. Once the choice has been made, it is irrevocable. If you can prevent that choice being made, people may well be grateful. Otherwise, it could well be too late to reverse what they had once decided. To be sure, a living will might be made under one set of circumstances which could dramatically change in other emotional and psychological circumstances. I welcome this chance to begin the debate about euthanasia, I re-echo some of the very great warnings that Mr Humphries gave, and I think we must approach this subject with very great caution.
MS MAHER (4.14): I will speak only briefly, as I know that Mr Collaery wants to speak. I think euthanasia is a very interesting issue, and it will be interesting to see what views are expressed by the community. I believe that life is sacred, as Mr Humphries said; but I believe that the quality of life and the choice of dying in dignity are also sacred. I believe that the terminally ill patient should be allowed to die naturally and without blame being pinned on a doctor.
Under Australian common law, "a doctor must never do anything actively to kill his patient, but he is not bound to fight for the patient's life forever". "Forever" may be the important word in that sentence. But I still think there would need to be very strong safeguards against abuse if any legislation were to come in. There would need to be adequate counselling for patients and more than one doctor's statement that the condition of patients will not improve - that there will never be any chance of recovery and their health and their quality of life will deteriorate to a stage where it will be impossible.
There have to be some safeguards. I know personally of a young lady who was involved in a car accident. She was in a coma for quite a long time. Her parents said that her life would not be worth living; that therefore they should let her die. They chose not to do that but to fight for her. That young woman is now up, walking around and making a valuable contribution to the community.
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