Page 823 - Week 03 - Thursday, 14 April 1994
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Of all the distortions in Mr Moore's preface, some cannot be allowed to pass without comment. First, Mr Moore's contention that the Labor Party has forsaken its policy on euthanasia and that it has done so because of "perceived electoral concerns rather than a commitment to the greater good" is typically misleading in terms of both the statements which I have made about what I believe should occur in the continuing euthanasia debate and simply wrong as far as ALP policy is concerned.
That policy does not commit the Labor Party to act in advance of public sentiment on the issue but to work towards a position where the community does accept active euthanasia. My feeling from the public hearings was that a great deal of genuine concern and fear exists in the community about active euthanasia and that, in accord with ALP policy, much work needs to be done before we could responsibly introduce such a policy.
Of course, Mr Moore just dismisses these concerns and fears as the irrational dogma of a small minority. With such Olympian objectivity, it is little wonder that Mr Moore seems unconcerned that a referendum on this issue - even if it did answer the question in the affirmative - could not be undertaken at this time without doing great harm to the very people who so readily expressed their views to the Committee. I had always supposed that a part of governing responsibly included protecting the interests of minorities but apparently Mr Moore is not strong on this view.
There is every reason to proceed with due caution in this debate - the consequences in the event of failure are simply too great both in terms of the effects on the community as a social entity and the grave dangers to actual life which could result from application of an ill considered law.
That concludes the additional comments I have tabled, Madam Speaker.
Notwithstanding my great concern about the preface and my recourse to this process in relation to the additional comments, I do thank both other members of the committee for the debate because I believe that it is an essential part of what this community must engage in to arrive at a proper outcome on this issue. Mr Moore should be congratulated for raising the issue, for promoting the issue, and for drawing it to high public attention. So, to Mr Moore I extend my appreciation for that. I would not like either Mr Moore's preface or my additional comments to overshadow the work of the committee or the contribution of the people who are set out in the body of the report.
I believe that it takes at times great courage for individuals who may regard themselves as being in a minority to take a very public stand about particular issues, but that is the nature of democracy. It is something we should preserve and protect, and I believe that in this debate it is something that has to be given equal weight, at least in terms of the process of dealing with this matter as the views of the majority. That is one of the real concerns I had as a member of this committee in trying to balance those two issues.
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