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An estimated 145,000 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in Australia this year. Approximately 1,200 people in Australia are currently diagnosed with motor neurone disease and about 400 new diagnoses are made each year. People with terminal illnesses must have the choice to end their pain and agony. Euthanasia is a way to end the suffering of terminally ill patients peacefully while surrounded by their loved ones. Euthanasia must be made legal in all states of Australia under strict rules and regulations. Ladies and gentlemen, there is a need for this contentious issue to be fixed; the grief and pain of patients in all states must not go on and I am here to tell you why. I am honored to be with you today at the Brisbane Health Convention in one of the finest countries in the world to speak on the legalization of euthanasia. The for and against communities of this issue need to come together. I may not look like the most qualified advocate to speak on this matter, however, I would like you to close your eyes, clear your mind, and listen closely. Imagine you are lying in a hospital bed. You have been diagnosed with motor neuron disease. You have lived with this disease for three years now and you require full-time care. You are no longer able to walk or breathe by yourself and find it almost impossible to function. Would you be looking for a way to end your suffering? Would you want your pain to be put at ease? Would you want to leave the agony peacefully?
What is euthanasia you may ask? Euthanasia also known as assisted death is the administering of medication to cause death by the steps and process set out in law. Voluntary assisted dying must be voluntary and initiated by the person, and it will usually be self-administered. Only those who are already dying from an incurable, advanced, and progressive disease, illness, or medical condition will be able to access voluntary assisted dying.
Today, I want to tell you the stories, facts, and information behind the matter of Euthanasia. I would like to introduce the story of Kerry Robertson which was reported in The Guardian on Sunday the 4th of August 2019 by Michael McGowan, a reputable reporter. Kerry aged 61 left this earth surrounded by her two daughters Jacqui Hicks and Nicole Robertson after almost a decade of suffering. Robertson was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010. Despite treatment, cancer-riddled her bones, lungs, and brain. In March it spread to her liver and, as the side-effects of chemotherapy were no longer manageable, she decided to stop all treatment and end the hurt and grief by undertaking the process of Euthanasia in a nursing home located in Bendigo Victoria. I know what you’re thinking; this must have been a sad, depressing, and awful experience although this was not the case. Kerry’s daughters described the process as “A beautiful, positive experience,” and “The empowered death that she wanted”. The assisted dying process took 26 days to complete and went smoothly, the daughters said. It was said that the procedure was a peaceful process; it was a good option for the patient. The law is well designed and the right way around this topic.
Euthanasia has been legalized in the state of Victoria as of the 19th of June 2019. Euthanasia requires a strict initiation process as it is an extremely important matter and the patient undergoing must be aware of all related circumstances meaning safeguards must be put in place. The Voluntary Assisted Dying Review Board is the safeguard used and will monitor all activity under the law and will receive reports from all health practitioners who participate. The Board will make sure that the Act is being complied with and will also monitor permit applications so that all precautions are taken the right way during the process. If we were to apply the legalization of euthanasia, we would see people's end of life be a positive experience as they are choosing to end their suffering. This would empower people with terminal illnesses as they will now have the choice to stop the pain at once and go to a better place free of negative aspects of life.
Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to take the negative thoughts on euthanasia out of your mind and replace them with positive thoughts as this is the deterrence for most people. I was sitting having lunch last week at a small café in the CBD, reading a news article, when the term ‘assisted suicide’ was used instead of Euthanasia. This phrase does not carry the correct terminology to describe the process. According to Steven Gans, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, the term suicide relates to mentally ill patients who have a way out, who carry the term mental disorder, not people who are terminally ill. How many of you would read that article and see the process as a negative thing? I believe that Euthanasia is sometimes misinterpreted, this is where the negative thoughts and opinions come from. Think of it as putting down a pet or animal, you do not keep them alive because it is cruel and wrong. Would you keep a loved one alive whilst they are in pain? People need to think for the greater good in situations like these as even though the option includes losing someone, however, it is putting the person in a better place. These people must not be forced to stay in pain.
To the health organizations of Australia, it is time to act on the issue more incredibly and begin the push for legalizing euthanasia. I would like you to stop and think about what I have said, and see the positives attached to euthanasia. The issue has been long-standing and I would like you to stand with me for the solution to be put into use. People need to see the previous cases of euthanasia and show them that the reports and feedback of the process were nothing but positive. Ladies and gentlemen, we must empower our patients and give them this gift as for some, the battle is unbeatable.
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