NSW politicians should be forgiven for acting so carefully on the issue of voluntary euthanasia.
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A cross-party working group is currently investigating a Bill expected to come before state parliament later this year finally seeking to legalise euthanasia in this state.
It is a question that has long divided people on moral, ethical and even religious factors, but one that must be seriously addressed at last.
The difficulty for politicians comes in finding the correct legislative framework that both empowers those who wish to end their own suffering while also protecting the state’s most frail and vulnerable.
It is hard to argue against someone's right to choose to end their own life once the pain of their illness has become too much to bear. Most of us can readily see the logic and compassion of providing medical support to the dying if they wish to stay their goodbyes on their own terms.
But the question becomes much murkier when we try to move from a philosophical position on voluntary euthanasia to a practical one.
Even if you support the notion of voluntary euthanasia – and surveys show that many Australians do – you should still feel some sympathy for the politicians tasked with drafting legislation to make it a reality in this state.
Because for every clear-cut case where someone with a clear mind is in a perfect position to decide to end their own suffering, there are countless cases were the circumstances are much more complex.
Any euthanasia legislation must ensure that the sick and vulnerable cannot feel pressured into making a decision they do not wish to and must ensure that all people considering euthanasia are mentally capable of such an important decision.
These are the grey areas that concern lawmakers – and rightly so.
There is an important conversation to be had on this issue over the coming months. It should be approached painstakingly without being dominated by the absolutely rigid positions and sensitivities held (and demands made) by some stakeholders.
Any proposed legislation must be tightly written.
It is likely to be a Herculean task to try to plot a course through the strongly held “for and against” views in the community.
But the conversation must start somewhere and some time – and that time is now.