A SAD DAY FOR DEMOCRACY IN AUSTRALIA
Here we record the overturning of the Northern Territory
Rights of the Terminally Ill Act 1995 in March 1997 by the Australian Federal
Parliament by 38 votes to 34 with one abstention. The Act had operated
for barely 9 months during which time 4 terminally ill people were mercifully
helped to a requested hastened death. We have updated our fact
sheet on the Act accordingly.
A majority of senators managed to convince themselves
that they were right to ignore the clear wishes of the Australian people.
In doing so, they made a mockery of the democratic process. This fragile
legislation, which was hemmed in with safeguards including a 9 day cooling-off
period, has now been crushed. Those unfortunate individuals who would have
used the law will have to manage as best they can.
In addition, the opportunity has been lost to evaluate
on a small scale how this type of needed reform to the law would work in
practice. We now have to wait for the voice of compassion and the will
of the people to emerge once more, somewhere in the world.
Let it be soon!
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