“Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu supports voluntary euthanasia. So do the overwhelming majority of Victorians (and Australians across all States and Territories). Why isn't it law?”
The obvious reasons that members of our various parliaments are out of touch are the preselection processes of the two major parties. It seems that these are controlled by religious extremists, nepotistic union bosses, 1950s social regressives and the US government. A balanced, in touch, ordinary Australian citizen apparently has no hope of making it through such a process.
I think the case for voluntary euthanasia (which I support) is better argued on its own merits, rather than arguing that politicians should follow popular opinion. Their job is to lead rather than follow.
Is this a democracy or not? If 85% of people (who don't actually have a deathwish, but merely want the choice IF their life becomes intolerable) are in favour of VOLUNTARY euthanasia, then WHY IS IT NOT LEGAL??? It's about time we started minding our own backyards and not everyone else's. If I want to die (and I can see dozens of reasons why it's good and none why it's not), then it should be MY privilege. I'm not going out and advocating mass murder of all the people living in situations I consider in tolerable, I'm just saying my life is my business and not the preserve of everyone with different likes and dislikes. I say what is intolerable about my life, and whether I'm fool enough to put up with it any longer. I allow you that respect, please allow me the same respect I extend to you.
What seems to come up all the time with comments regarding VE is chronic pain. What worries me more is being locked away while living with Dementia. I see these lost souls almost every day walking aimlessly looking for something but wanting nothing. I for one do not want to be left in a wet nappy for hours and left to smell. Or to have mush fed into me by a bored nurse who knows nothing of me and my life. The children i have raised, the odd ones i have saved, the men i have loved, and the tears i have cried. I have the right to end and depart before i am nothing
Yes, this particular issue is about voluntary euthanasia; but the overall topic is how public policy decisions should be made: whether by representative democracy or mob rule.
The issue is voluntary euthanasia, ie voluntary for everyone involved, not only the individual who's suffering is so great they seek release thru advancing inevitable death but also the doctor, the chemist and anyone else that may be asked to assist.
How patronising it is to say the elderly should not have this option, they may be frail of body and weak of voice but their opinions should be respected. they are entitled to the s Marshall perroname rights as the rest of us.
I wonder if people in favor of euthanasia would be in favor of bringing back the death penalty? (I am not)
I prefer the option of giving people who want to die a reason to live (and a longer pain and suffering free life) instead of taking the easy option and granting them their wish. We (rightly so) think it is a big tragedy when a young person commits suicide, why do we tend to have a different attitude to the elderly? Maybe, dare I say it, it costs a heck of a lot less just to offer them assisted suicide?
Communities in Control 
Neil Francis
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