[Greens-Media] Media Alert: Brown flags euthanasia bill

[Bennett, Ebony (Sen B. Brown)]

Tuesday, 5 February 2008

Media Alert

Brown flags euthanasia bill

Greens Leader Bob Brown has written to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd seeking
a conscience vote on voluntary euthanasia legislation, Rights of the
Terminally Ill Bill 2008, which Senator Brown will introduce in the
Senate next week. 

"My bill will restore the legitimacy of the Northern Territory
legislation allowing voluntary euthanasia for terminally ill patients
after rigorous conditions have been applied. The bill will effectively
support the Australian Capital Territory to legislate for voluntary
euthanasia as well," Senator Brown said.

"One of the first acts of the Howard government was to permit a
conscience vote on Kevin Andrews' bill to override the Northern
Territory's Rights of the Terminally Ill Act 1995.  Now, twelve years
later the Greens want to restore the right of thousands of Australians
to choose a dignified death - a right that was over-ridden by a
political agenda without care or compassion."

"Every opinion poll since the 1980's has shown that the vast majority of
Australians back voluntary euthanasia legislation along the lines of
that in the Netherlands and Oregon," Senator Brown said.

Senator Brown will be available for comment on the bill and to respond
to the Reserve Bank's decision on interest rates in Parliament House
this afternoon. 
When: 3.40pm 
Where: Committee Room 1S4

Further information: Ebony Bennett 0409 164 603



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Ebony Bennett
Media Adviser
Office of Greens Senator Bob Brown
Mobile: 0409 164 603
Ph: (02) 6277 3170
Fax: (02) 6277 3185	

Visit Bob's new myspace site at:
www.myspace.com/bobbrowngreens