Euthanasia legislation in South Australia has passed another legislative hurdle, with the state’s upper house waving the controversial bill through its second reading with a final vote set for May. Source: InDaily.
The legislation, sponsored by Labor MLC Kyam Maher and Deputy Opposition Leader Susan Close, is modelled on a similar bill passed in Victoria in 2017.
It is South Australia 17th attempt in 25 years to pass voluntary euthanasia laws.
Last week’s vote means the legislation will now go to the committee review stage before a final conscience vote is scheduled to take place in the Upper House on May 5.
In an emotional sitting of the Legislative Council, politicians from both sides of the aisle expressed differing and deeply held personal views on the matter informed by previous life experiences.
Treasurer Rob Lucas, who has opposed euthanasia legislation since the 1980s, said his views were a minority in the Upper House.
Meanwhile, the ACT Human Rights Minister Tara Cheyne said she has not ruled out going to the United Nations if the federal Government does not act to reinstate the right of territories to legislate on euthanasia, RiotACT reports.
In a rare tripartisan motion, Ms Cheyne joined Attorney-General Shane Rattenbury and Opposition Leader Elizabeth Lee last week to call out the legislative inequality experienced by Canberrans compared to other Australians.
Ms Cheyne said that regardless of personal views on euthanasia, there should be no controversy about allowing each territory to legislate on the matter.
FULL STORY
Euthanasia bill passes another hurdle in Parliament (In Daily)
ACT leaders may take battle for euthanasia laws to the UN (By Dominic Giannini, RiotACT)
