PAD Bill Defeated In Parliament

The Medical Treatment (Physician Assisted Dying) Bill 2008, introduced by Greens member
for Western Metropolitan, Colleen Hartland, was defeated in the Legislative Council
in early October.

The Labor Government withdrew permission for a conscience vote and instead voted as
a block against referring the Bill to a Parliamentary Committee for review and changes
that Parliamentarians would have been comfortable with, a cynical exercise given that
82% of Victorians want the law updated.

The Bill was being co-sponsored in the Legislative Assembly (lower house) by the
Hon. Ken Smith, Member for Bass.

     
The Hon. Ken Smith and Colleen Hartland,
who co-sponsored the PAD Bill.