Euthanasia debate: The politician
State Opposition Leader Mark McGowan maintains his support for voluntary euthanasia.
The Labor leader said in circumstances of terminal illness and with comprehensive medical advice, people should be able to end their suffering.
“I don’t think it’s up to the State or anyone else to decide if someone should live or die,” he said.
“I think people need to make their own decisions when they are terminally ill.
“I’ve met a lot of people in the WA community that say they are suffering and want to have quality of life.”
A recent Newspoll survey found 86.3 per cent of WA city dwellers would support such a legislation and rising to 92.1 per cent in Australia.
Mr McGowan said the draft euthanasia Bill was a conscience issue for individual members of parliament to make their own minds up on.
“I don’t think the majority of parliament will support this Bill,” he said.
“If the Bill was right and had all the safeguards then I would vote for it.”
Tomorrow: The case AGAINST. Political aspirant and social activist Jane Foreman says there are too many things that can go wrong when euthanasia is legalised.
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