Press Release 6 September 2020
Spokesperson for Live and Die Well, Ben Smith, has challenged Mike Gaffney MLC to a public debate over his proposed legislation for Voluntary Assisted Suicide.
Mr Gaffney is trying to sneak his dangerous bill through Parliament without proper consultation and without addressing any of the numerous flaws in the bill we have identified.”
“Whenever a flaw in his bill is pointed out, he ducks for cover and resorts to obfuscation and semantics rather than addressing the substantive issue.”
“Issues we have identified with Mr Gaffney’s bill which he has failed to adequately respond to include:
A person is not required to have a terminal illness to access VAS;
- Extending voluntary assisted euthanasia to children within just two years;
- Medical professionals potentially breaching Federal law by consulting remotely with those wishing to access voluntary assisted suicide;
- The likely drug for VAS, pentobarbital, being found by a US Court to cause “extreme pain” and “excruciating suffering”.
“I am available at any time and any place to debate Mr Gaffney on his bill. Surely he supports scrutiny and public debate and will take up my challenge?”
Ends
For further information: Ben Smith 0410 691 371
www.livendiewell.org
