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02: Public Opinion
Around three quarters of Australians are in favour of doctors being able to give a lethal dose of medication if requested by a hopelessly ill patient experiencing unrelievable suffering.
This statement is based on responses in Australia to the following Morgan Poll question:
"If a hopelessly ill patient, experiencing unrelievable suffering, with absolutely no chance of recovering, asks for a lethal dose, should a doctor be allowed to give a lethal dose or not ?"
47% said "yes" to a similar question in 1962. The percentage has steadily increased over the years and has been above 70% throughout the 1990. 78% said "yes" in 1993, in 1994 and again in 1995. 76% said "yes" in September 1996, only 24% saying "no" or "undecided" (Finding No. 2933). In June 2002 in SA 79% said 'yes', 15% 'no' and 6% 'undecided'.
The percentages by religious persuasion saying "yes" in SA in June 2002 were:
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| Anglican |
81% |
| Methodist |
87% |
| Presbyterian |
66% |
| Roman Catholic |
69% |
| Uniting Church |
74% |
| Lutheran |
74% |
| Baptist |
68% |
| Total Christian |
85% |
A substantial survey of those who attend church showed that there were more supporters (42%) of voluntary euthanasia than opponents (30%), with 28% undecided. (See "Views from the Pews", Openbook publishers, Adelaide, 1995). Polls conducted in Britain, Canada and the United States show support at a similar level.
Although public opinion polls have their weaknesses, there can be no doubt of widespread support for allowing a hopelessly ill and suffering patient legal access to a requested medically hastened death.
The same question was asked in a newspoll survey in 2007. In South Australia 81% of respondents answered 'yes'. Nationally 74% of respondents who stated that they had a religion gave an affirmative response to the question.
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