Australian politicians are testing the anti-euthanasia legalisation in Australia.

Australian politicians are testing the anti-assisted suicide legalisation of the country. Greens Senator Richard Di Natale has drafted a bill for the Australian parliament to legalise the prescription of the substances standardly used for AS. 

The bill, currently before a parliamentary review committee, would have the substances made available to individuals with a terminal illness deemed by their doctor to be undergoing “severe” suffering. Patients need to be assessed by two doctors before receiving the prescription, as well as receiving a psychological assessment by a psychiatrist.

The Victorian branch of Dying with Dignity is conducting a major campaign to have the legislation changed, and it is encouraging Victorians to contact local politicians. Right-to-Life Australia says the bill is open to gross exploitation, and have called for “better patient care, not killing”. 

Euthanasia debate resurfaces in Australian parliament
Xavier Symons
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Xavier Symons

Xavier Symons is a bioethicist and scholar in residence at the Kennedy Institute for Ethics at Georgetown University.

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