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Euthanasia campaign launches
ANMF, Andrew Denton team up to support national push for laws allowing people to volunteer to have their lives ended.
Andrew Denton. Photo: APN Australian Regional Media
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation has backed a national campaign appealing to politicians to support voluntary euthanasia laws.
TV and radio’ s Andrew Denton launched the‘ Be the Bill’ campaign at South Australia’ s Parliament House in September. It’ s aimed at encouraging politicians to exercise their conscience vote in favour of voluntary euthanasia.
Legislation is before SA Parliament and MPs will vote in October on whether to take the Voluntary Euthanasia Bill 2016 through to debate.
ANMF federal secretary Lee Thomas said nurses – many of whom are lobbying for a law with strong checks and balances – witness more than anyone else the damage, harm and trauma that is taking place in the absence of this legislation.
“ We are seeking voluntary euthanasia laws that are completely voluntary, help people who face a terrible, lingering death, have strong checks and balances, and have doctors and nursing professionals at the centre of the process,” Thomas said.“ A compassionate community should afford people the choice of a peaceful death when there are no other options available.”
Be the Bill is headed by 35-year-old Port Pirie woman Kylie Monaghan, who has advanced cancer that has spread to her liver and bones. Monaghan said she wants politicians to know they won’ t be debating a bill about someone who doesn’ t exist, rather her life and her choices. To drive her point home, she will put her name in the bill, replacing the neutral legal word‘ person’.
Denton, who is director of Go Gentle Australia, said:“ Our first priority is to get voluntary euthanasia legislation properly debated in Parliament so that we can establish a compassionate law with strong safeguards that will help people like Kylie, who are suffering.” ■
David Tune
Review chief popular choice
Stakeholders applaud selection of David Tune to head up sector’ s legislated assessment.
Key sector bodies have welcomed assistant minister for health and aged care Ken Wyatt’ s announcement that David Tune will lead the Aged Care Legislated Review.
COTA Australia chief executive Ian Yates said Tune was a good choice to lead the review, adding its timely delivery is critical to addressing the challenges facing the sector.
Tune is chair of the Aged Care Sector Committee. He was previously secretary of the Department of Finance and has also held senior positions in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, and Treasury.
The Aged Care Guild, an association of for-profit aged-care providers, echoed Yates’ sentiments, saying Tune’ s chairing role and work leading the development of the Aged Care Roadmap, together with his knowledge of Commonwealth Government finances, equips him well for the role.
Cameron O’ Reilly, chief executive of the Aged Care Guild, said:“ The guild has been advocating the need for a funding strategy that will address the long-term needs of the sector.
“ We simply must recognise the fact that if we are to have enough beds to meet future demand, the private sector must have confidence in the funding settings.
“ If the vision the Productivity Commission put forward in 2011 of a higher quality more consumer-driven aged-care sector is to be realised, private sector investment confidence will need to be enhanced through the review process.”
In welcoming the announcement, Aged & Community Services Australia( ACSA) chief executive Pat Sparrow pointed out the review would be occurring as the government is examining the residential care funding model.
Sparrow said:“ Co-ordination of both efforts will be important to ensure the best outcome, with providers having the level of certainty they require to keep delivering quality services to older Australians.”
The final report will be completed by August 1, 2017. ■
4 agedcareinsite. com. au