Well, I'm disappointed in you, Anna. Maybe when you're old you'll think differently.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23532736-12377,00.html

No review of euthanasia laws - Bligh

By Drew Cratchley | April 13, 2008


QUEENSLAND Premier Anna Bligh has ruled out any review of her state's euthanasia laws despite popular former Brisbane lord mayor Clem Jones leaving $5 million in his will to support the controversial practice.

Dr Jones, once known as "Mr Brisbane", died from pneumonia last December.

The 89-year-old led the city from 1961 to 1975, becoming Brisbane's longest-serving mayor, and has been credited with transforming Brisbane into a modern city.

While Dr Jones never publicly spoke in support of euthanasia, his lawyers today revealed he left $5 million to be used "in whatever way" to support the legalisation of euthanasia.

Ms Bligh said it was "hardly surprising": Dr Jones was passionate about the issue given his wife's long illness before her death nine years ago.

"Clem Jones was a man of passionate views, not only about euthanasia but also issues like the republic, and his will reflects his passionate views," she said.

"At this stage I don't see any persuasive argument that would make me of a mind to revisit this issue.

"The Queensland Government has no intention of revisiting legislation in relation to euthanasia."

Ms Bligh said she shared the conservative view on euthanasia held by her predecessor Peter Beattie.

"I have very a conservative view on euthanasia. I think it's a very difficult area to legislate in," she said.

"And I know from my discussion with medical practitioners in this field that it could be a very slippery slope for parliaments to enter.

"I'm also of the view that the current Queensland parliament is likely to take a very conservative attitude on this as well."

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Endeesea
Getting a basically conservative society to accept the individual's right to die will be a long, long journey. Thanks to people like Clem, we're able to make that journey.
Snowy
I just hope there's enough politicians out there with the balls to follow it through. Somehow I doubt it.
Ninja

I think there is a place at least for this debate to take place, without the moralising and guilt-passing. You're right about age changing people's perspective. Lots of things will change then.

Emjay
I am a supporter of euthanasia but there has to be some strict controls in place - imagine all those families lining up to pull the plug for the inheritance. :-)
John

I am a supporter of euthanasia but there has to be some strict controls in place - imagine all those families lining up to pull the plug for the inheritance. :-)

My suspicion is that it wouldn't be the families doing it, but the governments, trying to get out of paying elder care, medicare, and social security...

John
Emjay
I have heard that criticism before also... mostly here in the US.
I just hope that (when I am really old) I go to bed one night and just don't wake up. I have made it clear to husband and family that I would not want to be "kept alive" but you can not know what the emotions of those people will be when the time comes. There may be a child willing to take my husband (step father) to court to keep me alive - and then everything gets messy.
gunderson bee
I think I agree with Anna Bligh's comment that it's a very difficult area to legislate.

The former governor of Washington State has Parkinson's and he has helped in putting an initiative on our ballot come November for legalizing assisted suicide, which is what they are calling it here. I haven't taken a close look at the initiative yet, but at least it's something people are willing to talk about now.

My mother has told me to help her die if she ever gets to a point of no quality of life. Which still leaves me speechless. I don't think I could do it.
John

My mother has told me to help her die if she ever gets to a point of no quality of life. Which still leaves me speechless. I don't think I could do it.

It is the most difficult decision that can ever be made, bar none. With my sister, and then my grandmother, we had to stand by while they slowly died. Though we could have used more surgery and more medicine to keep them alive, it would not have cured them; it would have only extended their agony. Had euthanasia been legal, then they would have had the option of ending it sooner with less pain. It would have been harder on us, but easier on them.

And that's what this is all about. Not making our lives easier, but theirs. Not making our deaths less painful, but theirs. And supporting them, no matter what they choose.

It isn't an easy thing to do, but then grown-up things rarely are.

John
John

I have heard that criticism before also... mostly here in the US.

Yep - it seems to be one of the favorite straw men of this particular debate [1]. Though social engineering on this scale used to be fairly common, it has dropped out of favor for the most part [2].

John

[1] Vox needs a good "this is ironical" tag...

[2] Except among those who are most likely to use the preceding argument, for some reason.
gunderson bee

And that's what this is all about. Not making our lives easier, but theirs. Not making our deaths less painful, but theirs. And supporting them, no matter what they choose.

True. I don't know if I am capable though. But she asked me, not my brother, so I'm guessing she thinks I am more likely to respect her wishes than my brother.

It leaves a huge lump in your stomach, thinking about it.

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Snowy

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Snowy
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"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. To be your own man is hard business. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself.": Rudyard Kipling - (1865-1936)

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