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Australia Health Minister opposes euthanasia

Apr 7, 2016

By Paul Russell, Director, Hope Australia

Australian Federal Health Minister, Sussan Ley MP

Australian Federal Health Minister, Sussan Ley MP

On March 31 Australia’s Federal Health Minister, Sussan Ley MP, confirmed that she does not support euthanasia.

Ms. Ley was speaking at an event in Brisbane Australia organised by the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA).

A short report on the News.com.au website stated:

More should be done to improve end of life care for Australians but euthanasia is not the answer, Federal Health Minister Sussan Ley says.

“I am the health minister and I do not support euthanasia,” Ms Ley told a CEDA lunch in Brisbane on Thursday.

“I, however, recognise that we should be able to do a lot better than we currently do, not in everyone’s case but in many, with end of life care.”

Ms. Ley’s statement came at the same time as Federal Department of Health Secretary, Martin Bowles, told CEDA that there are reforms needed for the long term sustainability of Australia’s health system.

Mr. Bowles outlined the pressures facing Australia’s health system, particularly for disadvantaged communities, those in aged care, with chronic illnesses and relying on mental health systems.

“We already have one of the best health systems in the world but it is under pressure, and it continues to fail some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged Australians,” he said.

The Prime Minister [Malcolm Turnbull] and Ms. Ley simultaneously announced “A Healthier Medicare” for chronically-ill patients in a trial primary care packaging arrangement aimed at ‘improving the way we care for Australians with chronic diseases and complex conditions – aiming to keep them out-of-hospital and living happier and healthier lives at home.’

Editor’s note. This appeared at noeuthanasia.org.au and is reposted with permission.

Categories: Euthanasia