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ACT Right to Life AssociationMEDIA RELEASE |
Moore’s latest bid to legalise euthanasia "reckless"
Independent MLA Michael Moore’s latest attempt to introduce euthanasia into the ACT was today labelled as "reckless" by president of the ACT Right to Life Association, Nicola Pantos. Mr Moore is expected to introduce his bill into the ACT Legislative Assembly today.
In March 1997 the Commonwealth Parliament passed the Euthanasia Laws Act , which outlaws attempts in the ACT or the Northern Territory to legalise the deliberate killing of the sick or dying. Mr Moore's proposal tries to dodge the clear intention of the Parliament. It proposes to leave the act of deliberate killing called euthanasia in the criminal law, but to impose a trivial fine of $50 for the offence.
"Mr Moore’s latest attempt to legalise administering a lethal injection to terminally ill patients goes to new lengths in cheapening the value of life - doctors would be fined less than if they had parked illegally in a loading zone. It is less than the lowest fine for speeding", Ms Pantos said.
"Mr Moore hasn’t been able to prevail in serious debate on euthanasia, with both the ACT Legislative Assembly’s inquiry and the Commonwealth Parliament’s inquiry not supporting euthanasia, so now he is attempting to trivialise this life and death issue.
"One wonders to what lengths Mr Moore is prepared to go to achieve his objectives. If he had put the same effort into improving funding for palliative care he would have at least improved the chances of all terminally ill people to receive the best possible care.
"I trust that the Assembly will show more respect for human dignity and value a human life at more than $50. Members should throw out the proposal without delay."
Contact: Nicola Pantos, president of the ACT Right to Life Association, telephone 02 6253 3100.
Issued: Wednesday, 24 September 1997
