SPECIAL ELECTION EDITION - FEBRUARY 2018 Authorised by the President of Dying with Dignity Tasmania Inc, Margaret Sing, 7 Faraday St, West Hobart Tas 7000 IN THIS ISSUE: • SUMMARY • ADDITIONAL INFORMATION BY ELECTORATE – BASS, BRADDON, DENISON, FRANKLIN AND LYONS • ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON SOURCES OF INFORMATION, SURVEY AND OVERVIEW SUMMARY • The Tasmanian State election will be held on Saturday 3 March 2018. The Hare-Clark electoral system of multi-member electorates gives Tasmanian voters an excellent opportunity to vote for candidates who support voluntary assisted dying legislation. • Candidates most supportive: Based on the 24 May debate and the DwDTas survey of candidates, the following candidates have clearly indicated that they support voluntary assisted dying legislation in-principle AND are likely to vote for or have voted for a Bill similar to the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2016: ➢ Bass: (Greens) – all, including sitting member Andrea Dawkins; (Lab) Michelle O’Byrne; Jennifer Houston: (Lib) Bridget Archer ➢ Braddon: (Greens) – all; (Lab) Danielle Kidd, Wayne Roberts ➢ Denison: (Greens) – all, including sitting member Cassy O’Connor; (Lab) Scott Bacon, Tim Cox, Ella Haddad and Zelinda Sherlock; (Lib) Sue Hickey ➢ Franklin: (Greens) – all, including sitting member Rosalie Woodruff; (Lab) Kathryn Barnsley, Alison Standen and David O’Byrne; (Lib) Nic Street ➢ Lyons: (Greens) – all; (Lab) Rebecca White, Kylie Wright, Gerrard Gaffney (may be supportive of VAD Bill; mentioned Victorian law) • Candidates who have said they are supportive in principle but have not (yet) made a commitment to vote for Bill similar to the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2016: ➢ Bass – (Lab) Brian Roe (not likely at this time but mentioned Victorian law); Adam Gore; (Lib) Sarah Courtney (voted for the VAD Bill to go to an inquiry, and then against it and did not discuss in detail with DwDTas or proponents beforehand) ➢ Braddon - (Lib) Roger Jaensch (same as for Sarah Courtney) • See additional information to make up your own mind about some other candidates. YOUR RIGHT TO CHOOSE PO Box 1022, Sandy Bay TAS 7006 0450 545 167 [email protected] www.dwdtas.org.au ADDITIONAL INFORMATION BY ELECTORATE BASS 1. Support in-principle and likely to vote for a Bill similar to the Voluntary Assisted Bill 2016 • All Greens, including sitting member, Andrea Dawkins • Labor – Michelle O’Byrne (spoke strongly in favour), Jennifer Houston (expressed strong support) • Liberal – Bridget Archer 2. In-principle but not necessarily to a Bill similar to the VAD Bill 2016 • Labor – Brian Roe – responded to our survey as supporting in-principle but expressed concerns at this time; Adam Gore did not respond this time but at the last State election clearly indicated his support for voluntary assisted dying legislation • Liberal - Sarah Courtney – She stated in the debate on the VAD Bill: “I want it to be legal for an individual to choose the end of their life circumstance when their circumstances are filled with intolerable and unrelievable suffering due to advanced and incurable irreversible medical conditions.” She also advised the ACL of her in-principle support. 3. Others to consider? • Liberal – Simon Wood – did not respond to our survey but stated to the ACL: I don’t support free-rein euthanasia and am willing to examine cases based on individual circumstances. 4. Voted against the VAD Bill 2016 and/or stated opposition to voluntary assisted dying legislation • Liberal - Peter Gutwein (ACL statement: I have not supported previous attempts, and I remain very concerned about the legalisation of euthanasia in Tasmania”); Michael Ferguson (strong opponent without any respect for us as supporters and advocates or it would seem for the democratic process, eg stated to ACL: “I do not support the killing of one human being by another” and “The euthanasia debate is a debate run every four years by those who refuse to accept the outcome of previous votes and are not honest in their language about what they are actually proposing: that is, assisted suicide and medical manslaughter”.) BRADDON 1. Support in-principle and likely to vote for a Bill similar to the Voluntary Assisted Bill 2016 • All Greens • Labor – Danielle Kidd, Wayne Roberts • Liberal – None 2. In-principle but not necessarily to a Bill similar to the VAD Bill 2016 • Liberal - Roger Jaensch 3. Others to consider - Nil 2 4. Voted against the VAD Bill 2016 and/or stated opposition to voluntary assisted dying legislation • Labor – Shane Broad (at least he showed evidence of having considered it carefully) • Liberal – Jeremy Rockliff ACL statement - I have not supported euthanasia legislation in 2009, 2013 or 2017, and my position will not change.; Adam Brooks – ACL statement included: I don’t feel there can be adequate protections put in place to legislate this change … and would not support the same legislation in the future.; Joan Rylah - strong opponent ACL statement included: “My vote was and remains a NO vote” and the cruel pretence that palliative care is the answer; Felix Ellis – ACL statement: “Oppose” . DENISON 1. Support in-principle and likely to vote for a Bill similar to the Voluntary Assisted Bill 2016 • All Greens, including Cassy O’Connor, co-sponsor of the last Bill and a long-term strong supporter • Labor – Scott Bacon; Tim Cox; Ella Haddad and Zelinda Sherlock (all strong supporters) • Liberal – Sue Hickey 2. In-principle but not necessarily to a Bill similar to the VAD Bill 2016 – Nil 3. Others to consider • Liberal – Kristy Johnson – ACL statement - Euthanasia is a very emotional debate. My personal values will always be to seek to preserve life. I would have to view any legislation before I would consider changing something that goes beyond my value system. My concern is that once euthanasia is legalised, lobby groups would seek to expand the laws. I would not like to see Australia have laws similar to European countries where you can voluntarily end your life due to alcoholism or depression. I believe we do much better in palliative care; pain relieving drugs are so advanced that all forms of pain can be addressed for those suffering. • SFF - Lorraine Bennett – ACL statement – On a personal level I don’t know how anyone can let a terminally ill person suffer unnecessarily. Having said that, should this be a government decision or a decision between drs and families? Our party will vote on this as our conscious [sic] dictates. 4. Voted against the VAD Bill 2016 and/or stated opposition to voluntary assisted dying legislation • Labor – Madeleine Ogilvie • Liberal – Elise Archer – As Speaker she did not speak or vote on the 2016 Bill but voted against the 2013 bill and stated to ACL that she is “opposed to legalising euthanasia”; Simon Behrakis – ACL statement – I would oppose further attempts to legalise euthanasia. A caring and compassionate society would support patients and ease their suffering during such difficult times.; Dean Young - ACL statement – “Oppose”. 3 FRANKLIN 1. Support in-principle and likely to vote for a Bill similar to the Voluntary Assisted Bill 2016 • All Greens including sitting member, Rosalie Woodruff • Labor – Kathryn Barnsley, David O’Byrne, Alison Standen (strong supporters) • Liberal – Nic Street (strong supporter) 2. In-principle but not necessarily to a Bill similar to the VAD Bill 2016 - Nil 3. Others to consider • Liberal - Simon Duffy – stated in his response to DwDTas: I acknowledge and appreciate your passion for the dignity of people at the end of their lives. I have however had my reservations about legislation that has come before the parliament previously. Through personal experience with many long-term hospital visits myself and family members who have faced mental health challenges I remain concerned about unintended outcomes. At this point it is likely I would vote against legislation, but should I be elected and legislation one before the parliament I would value your input in making a decision on my conscience vote. 4. Voted against the VAD Bill 2016 and/or stated opposition to voluntary assisted dying legislation • Liberal – Will Hodgman (says will consider legislation); Jacquie Petrusma; Claire Chandler LYONS 1. Support in-principle and likely to vote for a Bill similar to the Voluntary Assisted Bill 2016 • All Greens • Labor – Rebecca White; Kylie Wright • Liberal – Nil 2. In-principle but not necessarily to a Bill similar to the VAD Bill 2016 - Nil 3. Others to consider • (SFF) Wayne Turale – ACL statement - In theory a competent, lucid terminally ill person, suffering untreatable pain, should have the choice to determine the manner in which they spend their last hours. There would however must be stringent control over this process and also religious beliefs must be taken into account. Also Palliative care option must be fully explored and considered. 4. Voted against the VAD Bill 2016 and/or stated opposition to voluntary assisted dying legislation • Liberal – Rene Hidding; Guy Barnett (very strong opponents); Mark Shelton; Jane Howlett – ACL statement – I do not see a circumstance in which any future euthanasia legislation would receive my support.; John Tucker – ACL response included: I am pro-life and as such, do not support euthanasia. 4 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON SOURCES, assisted dying legislation. The statement SURVEY AND OVERVIEW provided to the Australian Christian Lobby by Greens who responded states: The Tasmanian The sources of information on candidates’ Greens strongly support the right of views on voluntary assisted dying legislation Tasmanians suffering from advanced, have included: incurable, unrelievable suffering that palliation • the speeches and votes on 24 May 2017 on cannot alleviate to choose the time and the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2016 manner of their death. • the policy of the Greens Party as advised by Cassy O’Connor, Leader of the Greens In the additional information section, if there is • reports from members on their contact no mention of a Labor, Liberal or Jacqui Lambie with candidates Network candidate, it is because no response • the views of candidates provided to the was received.