Adelaide could become 'euthanasia capital': SA Lutherans urged to lobby MPs

South Australian Lutherans are being urged to express their concerns to MPs following the state's lower house passing the second reading of Labor MP Steph Key's 'euthanasia bill' on 28 July.

In March 2011 Ms Key tabled her Criminal Law Consolidation (Medical Defences – End of Life Arrangements) Amendment Bill, which provides a legal window in the  nation's homicide law that allows a doctor to provide a lethal dose to a person aged 18 years or more where the person claims to have a medical condition that makes life intolerable.

Chair of the LCA's Commission on Bioethical and Social Questions Dr Rob Pollnitz described the bill as 'dangerous' and called on concerned Lutherans to lobby against the proposed legislation.

'It places total faith in just the one doctor making the decision. There is no documentation required, no second opinion, no board of oversight, no mental-health specialist, no cooling-off period, no residency requirement. After the event the only witness other than the doctor is dead.'

The bill passed the second reading on the voices, meaning that no MP called for a division and there was no formal vote.

'Those lobbying in favour of the bill are telling MPs that the bill simply provides protection for doctors who withdraw burdensome treatment or increase pain medication to relieve suffering', Dr Pollnitz said. 'But doctors already have such protection under our 1995 medical treatment law, but some MPs appear not to understand the distinction.'

The bill now goes into the committee stage, where amendments can be discussed before a final vote, and would then need to pass the upper house to become law.

'If that happens, Dr Philip Nitschke can set up his proposed death clinic and make Adelaide the euthanasia capital of the southern hemisphere', Dr Pollnitz warned.