Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 2 Hansard (26 February) . . Page.. 500 ..

MS TUCKER (continuing):

That doctor, who had to witness the degree of suffering before he could move away from his political position, made a very brave step. I wonder how many other people who oppose this legislation, if confronted by the reality, would maintain that line?

I have also talked to a palliative care doctor. I notice that Mr Humphries claimed that he had never spoken to a doctor who supported it. I have spoken to several in the last few months alone. This palliative care doctor from South Australia spoke about the limitations to palliative care, and he acknowledged that it is not always possible to relieve the suffering. I have also spoken to bishops, to the Right to Life groups and to others who fear for the overall impact on the community of such legislation. I respect their views and I understand their concerns. However, I am not able to agree with them on this issue because, as I said, I believe that already this practice is occurring; that already people with influence and money can access this choice. There must be careful monitoring, obviously; but I believe this is a worthy attempt to bring compassionate legislation into this area. We do need to ensure accountability in the process. We must not make it so prescriptive, though, that we are just inflicting further suffering on those seeking relief under the legislation.

Debate interrupted.

MR TEMPORARY DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Wood): Order! It being 5 o'clock, I propose the question:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

Mrs Carnell: I require the question to be put forthwith without debate.

Question resolved in the negative.

Debate resumed.

MS TUCKER: I believe that the amendments which Ms Horodny and I put up in the last debate and which Mr Moore has incorporated into this Bill will increase accountability but still allow a workable piece of legislation. Dr Nitschke spoke of the tragedy of Max Bell, who was dying from terminal stomach cancer and drove from Broken Hill to Darwin to take advantage of the legislation in the Northern Territory. As Dr Nitschke explained, false claims by the AMA that there would be some form of legal penalty visited on those doctors who cooperated with the legislation and the last minute change to the regulations that made it mandatory to enlist the services of a Territory specialist made it impossible for Max, and he drove out of Darwin saying he would use the last of his strength to get out of the Territory, and he died a lonely, horrible, out of control death back in Broken Hill. I do not know that legislators in the Northern Territory should feel proud of the way they interfered with the process at that point.

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .