Euthanasia in Tasmania - Assisted suicide in Tasmania - Dying with Dignity in Tasmania

Tasmanian legal practitioners and academics explore the issue of patient rights and the threat to the community in removing long standing legal protections

In a submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Community Development on the Dying with Dignity Bill in 2009, the Hon. William Cox succinctly expressed his opposition to euthanasia on the basis of the ever present risks to the frail and the elderly and that the legalisation of what has for centuries been regarded as Murder can never be justified | Read more...

Dr Prichard, a lecturer in criminal law discusses the hidden nature of elder abuse in our community, highlighting the plight of many elderly persons and expresses his concern that safeguards accompanying euthanasia or assisted suicide legislation will not adequately protect the elderly from pressure | Read more...

Prof. Michael Tate, an honorary research professor in international humanitarian law warns that legalising euthanasia will remove a fundamental civilising principle underpinning our legal system: that it is wrong to use lethal force against a person who is not trying to kill you. This will have both immediate and lasting effects for current and future generations | Read more...

In a submission to the inquiry into the Dying with Dignity Bill 2009, the Law Society clears up confusion around patient rights, noting that Tasmanian law has facilities to ensure patient's do not receive unwanted, burdensome and futile treatments | Read more...