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Legislative Council Elections - 4 May 2013

Elections for the Legislative Council seats of Nelson, Pembroke and Montgomery were held on 4 May 2013.  For more information ... 

First Information Paper - Vast Majority Support Voluntary Assisted Dying Law Reform

Dying with Dignity Tasmania has issued the first of a series of Information Papers and Bulletins to contribute to a well-informed and rational debate on voluntary assisted dying legislation which will come before the Tasmanian Parliament later this year.  The first Information Paper adds recent research evidence from the 2012 Newspoll survey to other evidence about community support for a legal option for doctors to provide voluntary assisted dying in some circumstances.

As for all legislation, parliamentarians need to base their decisions about voluntary assisted dying legislation on sound evidence and carefully reasoned arguments, as well as on community views. Good decisions cannot be made on the basis of poor quality information, ill-informed and unreasonable speculation and unfounded fears which are routinely repeated in the campaign against the proposed law reform, including in submissions made recently to the consultation process on proposed Tasmanian legislation.  The papers and bulletins will provide new and additional material to supplement what is already available, including the detailed information in the consultation paper, "Voluntary Assisted Dying: A Proposal for Tasmania", issued by the Premier, Lara Giddings, and the Leader of the Greens, Nick McKim in February 2013.

They intend to move a Private Members Bill in the Tasmanian Parliament later this year.  Although the consultation process finished on 15 March, copies of the proposal can still be obtained and there will be ample opportunity for ongoing community debate in coming months.  DwDTas made a submission to the consultation process generally supporting the proposal as a very good approach based on principles of compassion and respect, thorough research and sound arguments. We also recommended some amendments to what was proposed.  Our major concern is that the proposal does not go far enough in providing a last resort option for some people with prolonged suffering that cannot be relieved adequately and yet their incurable medical conditions may not be regarded as terminal.  

Website Development

Our website is also currently being redesigned and redeveloped to include much more information and material in addition to the Information Papers and Bulletins.  Up to date comment and information will be made available through blogs and Facebook. Please visit us again soon.