Page 1527 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 4 May 2016
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have security as they go into that phase of their life. Again, that is something that will make a real difference for people in Canberra as they go into that phase of their life.
I have highlighted some of these examples simply to underline the diversity of issues that impact on the older residents of our community. I am sure it is far from an exhaustive list; there are so many other things. I say that so that no-one critiques me for having left something out. I simply offer some broad-ranging examples of the sorts of areas in my own time in this place that I have worked on that have been relevant to older members of the city and which we have been able to make some progress on.
When I was the Minister for Ageing I was very struck by how many older people talked to me about the issue of voluntary euthanasia. I am going to bring it up here. It is a conversation that makes some people uncomfortable, and it certainly was not something I expected to talk about as the Minister for Ageing because I felt there would be sensitivity about it. But I was struck by how many people are contemplating that issue as they come to the later stages of their life and that this is something that is really prevalent in their minds. I know there are different views in this chamber, but I mention this because, as I say, I was struck by it. I am not saying every older person in Canberra was talking about it, but I was surprised by how many people were.
I encourage members to reflect on that issue as they think about an ageing population and the desire of modern people to have a respectful say in decisions about the end of their life. It is very real for us. With the wonders of modern medicine, so much intervention is capable of being made and many members of our community do not want that or they want the ability to draw a line on that intervention at a point which is about enabling them to die with the degree of dignity that they deserve.
On the specifics of Mr Doszpot’s motion, I agree with many of the things he notes. I really have no interest in getting into his spat with Mr Barr about who said what when. This motion is about having a go at Mr Barr. I am not getting into that space; Mr Doszpot and Mr Barr can take that up.
In terms of what the motion calls on the government to do, there are some fair points in there, but, again, it is quite targeted at having a bit of a thing with Mr Barr, and that is why I will be supporting Dr Bourke’s amendment. I think he picks up the key elements of Mr Doszpot’s motion.
Mr Doszpot: Why don’t you try to amend my motion yourself?
MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: Mr Doszpot, can you please not interject—
Mr Doszpot: Why don’t you just amend my motion?
MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: Mr Doszpot! Mr Rattenbury, please continue.
MR RATTENBURY: I will be supporting Dr Bourke’s amendment; I think it picks up the key issue we are discussing here today. As I say, Mr Doszpot has a take on Mr Barr’s commentary, and I have no interest in getting into that discussion. I am
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