Amanda Vanstone's support for legalised Voluntary Euthanasia - read on for important link

I was delighted to read of Amanda Vanstone's recent public support for the legalisation of Voluntary Euthanasia. Encouragement from Amanda, and hopefully other senior players in the federal sphere, might help one or more States to take the long awaited step of introducing VE legislation.

Marshall Perron introduced the worlds first law permitting voluntary euthanasia in the Northern Territory in 1995. It had overwhelming support within the NT community, and all were devastated (even it's few NT opponents) when Kevin Andrews and federal colleagues treated the NT people like second class citizens by overturning the NT law in 1997.

This was only possible because the Northern Territory wasn't a State. If one of the States had introduced the same legislation, it couldn't have been neutered by Canberra.

One important document which I'd like all interested in the voluntary euthanasia movement to read, is here in the National Library archives.

http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/15050/20010614/home.vicnet.net.au/_vesv/marshallOct96.htm

Because of the publicity accorded Philip Nitschke and others during subsequent years, many people are not aware, or have lost sight of, the critical process and campaign between the time Marshall Perron conceived of the legislation around late 94?) it's subsequent historic passage in the NT Parliament in 1995, and the final gazetting the law in July 1996.

Any States considering the introduction of VE legislation will need an immense amount of fortitude to withstand the presure they'll be put under by powerful and rich opponents who want to derail it. Although a proven minority, their influence is considerable. But the end result WILL be worth the effort if legislation can be introduced which allows terminally ill Australlians to seek a humane death if they wish it.

I'll await development with much interest.