MY Life My Choice coalition today staged an online Facebook Live event at Cleveland to stress the importance of voters knowing their local candidates' views on voluntary assisted dying.
Under the My Life My Choice banner the Clem Jones Group, Dying With Dignity Queensland, and Doctors for Assisted Dying Choice promote VAD law reform and encourage voters to ensure the candidates they support reflect their views.
Chairman of the Clem Jones Trust, David Muir, said the upcoming state election was crucial to ensuring a majority of MPs in the 2020-2024 state Parliament backed VAD laws.
"In March the parliament's cross-party Health Committee Inquiry into end-of-life issues delivered a report recommending VAD laws and Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk referred the issue to the Queensland Law Reform Commission," Mr Muir said.
"The QLRC has until March 2021 to draft a VAD Bill to be considered by whatever party forms government after the October 31 state election.
Redlands MP Kim Richards and Oodgeroo candidate Claire Richardson spoke at the event at Redland Showgrounds this morning.
Mr Muir said My Life My Choice was asking all candidates about their commitment to VAD and would soon be releasing the initial results to help inform voters including those in seats in the Redlands.
President of Dying With Dignity Queensland, Jos Hall, said VAD laws gave patients with a terminal illness or neurological condition facing imminent death and experiencing intolerable suffering the personal choice over both the timing and circumstances of end of life.
"Queenslanders need to remember one simple fact - under voluntary assisted dying there will not be a single extra death, but there will be a lot less suffering," Ms Hall said.
Doctors for Assisted Dying Choice state convener Dr Sid Finnigan said a vote in parliament on any VAD Bill should be a genuine conscience vote which meant MPs would not be bound by their party's official policy.
"It's known that the LNP's official policy is anti-VAD, the Labor party and the Greens both have policies that support VAD law reforms, but that doesn't mean all of their MPs will vote in line with their party's policy," he said.
"That's why it is vital voters directly ask candidates whether or not they will back VAD laws if elected".
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