MY LIFE MY CHOICE A newsletter produced for the dominant purpose of educating and raising awareness of the need for voluntary assisted dying law reform in Queensland — No.16 September 2020 NQ MP puts VAD on the agenda Inquiry chair hosts online Q&A session Recently I was in Townsville with Everald Compton, campaign leader for Dying With Dignity Queensland, to take part in an online public information forum arranged by the Member for Thuringowa, Aaron Harper. Aaron has represented the people of Thuringowa for the Labor Party since 2015 and chaired the cross-party Health Committee Inquiry that made recommendations for VAD laws Strong local interest for our state. Media coverage of Aaron Harper’s I deliberately choose to use the online public information forum term “represented the people of on VAD reflected strong local Thuringowa” rather than say he Aaron Harper MP fronts the media before his online VAD forum interest in the issue. Townsville’s has “held the seat” or use some print, radio, and television outlets end-of-life laws Professor Ben passionate support for VAD law other term or expression. all carried stories about the event White, and well-known VAD reform. and Mr Harper was congratulated By arranging an online public advocates from Townsville, Marj It is MPs who support VAD, like for staging the forum to give locals forum on voluntary assisted dying Lawrence and Joan Musumeci. a chance to hear the facts on VAD. Aaron Harper, that we must he is meeting his responsibility to The event was very successful keep in our parliament and that give his constituents a chance to and should be repeated by other is why every voter who wants gain basic facts and information MPs and candidates seeking to to see voluntary assisted dying about this vital issue and to allow serve their communities in the laws in Queensland needs to them to question him and others next Queensland Parliament. find out before heading to a who made up the online panel. polling booth on 31 October Aaron Harper set a benchmark where their own would-be MP Those answering questions for other MPs and candidates. included Everald and me, as well stands on VAD. as Andrew Denton from Go His work in chairing the end-of- Gentle, Dr Sid Finnigan from life inquiry that recommended David Muir Doctors for Assisted Dying VAD laws should be recognised Chair Choice, Brisbane-based expert in along with his ongoing and The Clem Jones Trust Pro-VAD Former NZ Vic MPs deputy PM caught backs ‘yes’ up in party WA MP’s speech case at Greens candidate shows his colours infighting you must read referendum INSIDE: Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 6 You can follow us on Facebook @mlmcaus and Twitter @mlmcaus MPs and candidates face VAD quiz Simple questions show who backs VAD and who doesn’t The My Life My Choice coalition is quizzing QUESTION 1: Do you, as a matter of all MPs and candidates standing at the principle support the right of coming Queensland election to find out who Queenslanders to have the choice of supports voluntary assisted dying and who seeking access to a system of doesn’t. voluntary assisted dying under As Queensland approaches the 31 October appropriate protections and state election, voters who want to see VAD safeguards, if they have a terminal laws in our state need to know which of illness or neurological condition their would-be MPs will support a VAD Bill causing them intolerable suffering? in the 2020-2024 parliament. Our questions will be seeking answers to QUESTION 2: Would you, as an MP in two very simple questions. the Queensland Parliament ensure your vote on a VAD Bill reflects the The first asks candidates to state their in- wishes of your constituents? principle views on VAD and does not require them to have seen the Bill being drafted by the Queensland Law Reform Commission. ASK YOUR OWN QUESTIONS: Sitting MPs and candidates are already The second question will help determine the taking to the streets to promote strength of their commitment to reflecting themselves. If you see any of them in the views of their constituents on the issue. your neighbourhood, ask them directly about their views on VAD. We look forward to bringing you the results before the election . Pro-VAD Vic MPs targeted in Liberal Party infighting Alleged infighting for control of the had voted for the state’s VAD Victorian branch of the Liberal Party has laws in 2017. reportedly included efforts to punish some state parliamentarians who voted for Allegations about the activities of the voluntary assisted dying laws. “religious Right” in the Victorian Liberal Party echo claims made in Media outlets including the Network Nine’s Queensland by the former LNP 60 Minutes and The Age and The Australian Member for Currumbin, Jann Stuckey. newspapers (pictured) have aired claims of “branch stacking” in the party. As reported in the May 2020 edition of this newsletter, Ms Stuckey who The stories included claims that the so- quit politics this year has publicly questioned called “religious right” had been attempting the behaviour of the “religious Right” in the “Every group has a right to lobby to rid the party of moderate MPs through LNP, saying those with conservative religious those who have the power to the recruitment of “religious Right” branch views “are very vocal and try to sway others legislate decisions and policy. Jann Stuckey members who would vote against them in to their beliefs and thinking”. party preselections. “However, what I have seen in recent years “I have experienced this on more than one could be described as intimidating behaviour ABC News reported that a secretly recorded occasion, sometimes in a mild-mannered towards elected representatives, coupled exchange revealed plans by some Liberal way and other times with considerable with extensive advertising and powerbrokers to “get rid of” four MPs who forcefulness,” she said. campaigning,” Ms Stuckey said. Anyone standing “It is clear that the people of the Nedlands electorate overwhelmingly for election must support this Bill. It is also clear that they expect me to read this speech represent their wishes in this House.” As part of the debate that saw the West Australian Parliament pass Jos Hall Bill Marmion MP voluntary assisted dying laws last President Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Member for Dying With Dignity year, a senior member of the Nedlands — WA Parliament 3 September 2019 opposition Liberal Party spoke of Queensland the reasons he was backing the www.dwdq.org.au government’s Bill. not been painful,” he noted. about 70% of people in his although it could reduce pain Bill Marmion, deputy leader of the Mr Marmion canvassed arguments Nedlands seat supported VAD associated with death in the opposition and Member for the for and against VAD and admitted but wanted hard data so he majority of instances, there Perth-based seat of Nedlands said he was concerned “about the path commissioned research based were times when that was not the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill this Bill takes our society” which on three questions (see box). the case. 2019 was “the most confronting was why WA MPs needed “to give The results showed: “This Bill is about providing and difficult piece of legislation” he the matter and the wording of 97.6% of respondents knew those people who have a had to consider in his then 11 years the Bill our utmost and careful what VAD was; terminal disease or illness the as an MP. consideration”. 85.5% thought VAD should choice to decide whether they He said the Bill was a “landmark He said he previously suspected be legalised for the wish to access voluntary piece of legislation” challenging a terminally ill; and assisted dying,” he concluded. range of philosophical notions 82.1% wanted him to vote THREE KEY QUESTIONS: “It is clear that the people of “including ethical, political, let “yes” on the VAD Bill. the Nedlands electorate alone cultural and religious”. Q1: Do you know what overwhelmingly support this voluntary assisted dying is? Mr Marmion said the results Mr Marmion recalled his own 93- showed his constituents wanted Bill. Q2: Do you think VAD should be year-old father’s relatively peaceful VAD laws, they wanted him to legalised and available to a “It is also clear that they expect death just a month prior to the support them, and he needed to patient who desires a painless me to represent their wishes in debate. He also reflected on the ensure the new law included termination and where a doctor this House,” Mr Marmion said. deaths of friends or relatives and controls and safeguards around has confirmed they have only six work colleagues. the operation of new laws. to 12 months to live? READ THE HANSARD TEXT “I have been very lucky to have Q 3: Would you like to see your He acknowledged the need for OF THE DEBATE ON THE WA been around death only in local MP support or oppose VAD improvements to WA’s system PARLIAMENT’S WEBSITE circumstances in which passing has legislation for WA? of palliative care but also said Supporters answer NQ church leader The Catholic Bishop of Townsville, the The published letters show the value of Most Reverend Timothy Harris, entered answering opponents of VAD, especially the VAD debate again recently with a those who use spurious arguments. letter to the editor in the Townsville Unfortunately many church leaders do Bulletin claiming VAD laws were not not want to give Queenslanders the needed.