Northern Territory Euthanasia Collection - Address to the Voluntary Euthanasia Society Queensland AGM by Marshall Perron, 22 August 2007

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CreatorPerron, MarshallScope and ContentsPerron's address begins by highlighting the massive public support for euthanasia but then states that it is irrelevant to both the validity of the legislation (as it stands on its own merits) and its parliamentary success. Perron points out that while there has been no successful legislation in Australia since the overturn of the Northern Territory legislation, there has been success overseas and Australian states continue to introduce bills, and this is crucial in placing the issue on the public agenda. Perron highlights the prevalence of suicide to highlight the importance of euthanasia, and the importance of pressuring politicans, who react most to people who will change their vote on a particular issue, and argues that religion remains a powerful force precisely because its supporters will vote based on their opposition to euthanasia.BackgroundThe Northern Territory was the first jurisdiction in the world to explicitly legalise euthanasia. The Rights of the Terminally Ill Act 1995 (NT) entered into law on 1 July 1996. The following year the Commonwealth Parliament intervened to overturn the Act. Section 50A was added to the Northern Territory (Self-Government) Act 1978 to prohibit the Northern Territory from making laws in respect of euthanasia. The Rights of the Terminally Act was in force for 9 months, during which time four people died by medically assisted suicide through its provisions.Date22/08/2007KeywordVoluntary EuthanasiaPublic OpinionSuicideReligionCollectionNorthern Territory Euthanasia CollectionCollection Number14-024Alternative CollectionPage 1169-1179LanguageEnglishProvenanceThe NT Euthanasia Collection contains donations from a number of contributors. This item was donated by Mr Marshall Perron.Related MaterialPlease see folder list for the NT Euthanasia CollectionCultural AdviceAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers should be aware that this collection may contain images or names of people who have since passed away.LocationArafura Research ArchivePhysical DescriptionElectronic Document - 2 Pages

PersonMarshall PerronPhilip NitschkePlaceQueensland

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TopicEuthanasia

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