Tasmania set to kill the elderly

For broadcast on 2CH Sydney, 29 Sep 2013.

Tasmanian Premier Lara Giddings has introduced a voluntary euthanasia bill to her state’s parliament that would allow terminally ill Tasmanians to take their lives, and which she claims is based on “the values of compassion, respect for human dignity, and freedom of choice.”

The Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2013 will establish a state registrar to collate information and oversee the process of Tasmanian residents seeking voluntary euthanasia.

The bill will be debated during the next sitting of Tasmania’s parliament in mid-October.

Christians and others who oppose such laws do so because the laws redefine the value of the lives of some people as “not worth living.”  Older and infirm Australians are not a problem to be rid of, but people to be cherished.  Legalised euthanasia weakens patient autonomy and reduces their choice about care and symptom management.

Despite the best of intentions, legalised euthanasia will always be a grave error.

I’m Rod Benson for the NSW Council of Churches.