Euthanasia legislation submissions

The Queensland Government is currently conducting an
inquiry into aged care, end-of-life and palliative care and voluntary assisted dying. Following an excellent seminar and discussion by members of the PCNQ this morning it was obvious that this is a topic that touches the lives of many people. Dr Ian Brown from the Redcliffe Explorers group led the discussion and backgrounded this with a broad explanation of the various subtopics, legislation in Australia and overseas, and a series of case studies of people who have travelled the path of voluntary assisted dying (VAD).

This stimulated many in the gathering to describe their own experiences. Clearly there are many challenges facing individuals, medical professionals, para-professional staff and governments. Legal, economic and personal issues add complexity to the thinking.

The Uniting Church Queensland Synod is currently compiling a submission to the Queensland Parliament after inviting its members to submit their thoughts. This submission will offer a ‘theology’ of euthanasia to the deliberations prior to a Bill being drawn up. Other submissions that have been received by the Parliament so far demonstrate the diversity of perspectives on this topic.

The inquiry overview, related publications and copies of the submissions received so far can be found at Queensland Parliamentary Inquiry.

Submissions to this inquiry can be made up to 15th April 2019.

The UCA Queensland Synod Consultation paper on VAD is available at VAD Paper. The consultation process is now complete and submissions are being examined to assist the production of the Church’s submission to the Queensland Parliament.

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