Australian state to legalise assisted suicide

Cancer patient Sue Jensen

The Australian state of Victoria could soon become the first state to legalise voluntary euthanasia for people suffering from serious and incurable conditions.

A committee has recommended the Victorian Government legalise assisted suicide.

If the landmark recommendations, handed down by the Parliament’s Legal and Social Issues committee, are adopted, Victoria would become the first Australian state to legalise assisted dying.

The report handed down, which came after 10 months of investigation by the committee, made 49 recommendations covering assisted suicide.

Included in the recommendations were changes to the Crime Act designed to protect doctors who act within assisted dying legislation.

“The Government should introduce legislation to allow adults with decision-making capacity, suffering from serious and incurable conditions that are at the end of life to be provided assistance to die in certain circumstances,’’ it said.

The report specified that a doctor must first prescribe a lethal drug which the patient could take without further assistance unless the patient is physically incapable of doing so.

“It is essential that the patient must be experiencing enduring and unbearable suffering that cannot be relieved in a manner of which they deem tolerable,’’ the report said.

In giving evidence to the committee, cancer patient Sue Jensen, said that she hoped the report would make recommendations to allow her to make her own decisions about the end of her life.

“I just want people who disagree with this to respect it is my health, I am the one that has to live this.

“I am coming to the end of my time and want to just end peacefully and not with further trauma for myself or my family,’’ she said.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews revealed in June 2015 that he would not support voluntary euthanasia but conceded momentum to legalise it was building.

Comments

Houthis Claim Attack on Central Israel in Response to Gaza ‘Massacres’

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has taken a concerning regional turn as the Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed responsibility for an attack on central Israel. The group announced this as part of their escalating response to what they describe as "massacres" in Gaza amid the Israeli military’s operations in the strip. Details of the Attack The Houthis, a Shiite militant group with ties to Iran, declared that they launched missile and drone strikes targeting Israel. While the exact impact of these attacks remains unclear, reports suggest that Israel’s defense systems intercepted several threats over its airspace. This marks a significant escalation as the Houthis widen their involvement in the conflict beyond their typical operations within Yemen and neighboring Saudi Arabia. The Houthis’ Justification In their statement, the Houthis framed the attack as retaliation for Israel’s military actions in Gaza, which they characterized as indiscriminate bombings resultin...

Fire: UniJos Senate convenes emergency meeting on Monday

Fire at the University of Jos Library University of Jos is to convene an emergency senate meeting on Monday to review the level of damage done to the institution by the Saturday night inferno. The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sebastian Maimako, disclosed this on Sunday after inspecting areas affected by the incident. The fire, which lasted for more than six hours, destroyed the Library Complex that equally houses the faculties of management and social sciences. The fire also destroyed examination scripts, books and very crucial materials. Consequently, the vice-chancellor said “the Senate will meet tomorrow (Monday) to take a decision about the unmarked examination scripts that were burnt.” On the cause of the inferno, Maimako said investigation had commenced, adding that “nothing has been confirmed yet. We are still investigating.” The vice chancellor said the school was already working with federal authorities toward establishing a main fire station since the mini fire station in t...

Fall of Assad is a Blow to Russia's Prestige

The potential fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, a long-standing ally of Russia, would mark a turning point in Moscow’s global influence, particularly in the Middle East. Steve Rosenberg’s analysis underscores the profound implications for Russia, which has invested heavily—both militarily and politically—in ensuring Assad’s survival over the past decade. This article delves into why Assad’s downfall would strike at the core of Russian prestige and what it could mean for the broader geopolitical landscape. Russia's Strategic Commitment to Syria Since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011, Russia has been a staunch supporter of Assad's regime. In 2015, Moscow launched a military intervention that proved decisive in stabilizing Assad’s hold on power. This intervention solidified Russia's role as a key power broker in the Middle East and demonstrated its willingness to project military power far beyond its borders. Syria is not just an ally for Russia; it is a...

Global Naija Info

Search This Blog