Whatever the opinion of the public, academics or medical professionals, QUT researchers say it will be politicians who decide on whether laws on euthanasia, or voluntary assisted dying, are changed.
- Politicians’ personal views on euthanasia should not drive the debate
- Issues of public concern, such as the impact on vulnerable people, should instead be at the forefront Parliament’s role is to protect the vulnerable if laws are changed
- Legislation applies to all; not just people with one view or another
- Individuals are free to reject euthanasia as an option for themselves based on their own personal beliefs, so the fairest option is to make euthanasia lawful
- Conscience votes on euthanasia not optimal, but may remain the only way to decide the issue
Researchers from QUT’s Australian Centre for Health Law Research (ACHLR) have published an article – Informing the Euthanasia Debate: Perceptions of Australian Politicians – in the University of New South Wales Law Journal on how politicians approach euthanasia and assisted suicide when they are voting on whether to pass a bill legalising such practices.
Led by Dr Andrew McGee, their paper follows the recent passing of the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2017 in Victoria, and covers a rarely examined perspective of the debate.
Learn more about ACHLR on their website or follow their twitter account @HealthLawQUT.
You can read the full article and reach our media contacts on the QUT news page.