Seven years ago I was told I had a 25 percent chance of living five years without the cancer returning; two years ago I was given 12 months to live. Plainly the upcoming End of Life Choice referendum concerns me, others like me, and all those involved in my care. I’ve just put the phone Read more
Kiwi journalist Caralise Trayes was interviewed on RNZ Sunday about a book that she has just completed called The Final Choice. She said she was motivated to write The Final Choice after she realised she would soon have to vote in the referendum, but she did not know much about the issue. The New Zealand Read more
A controversial bill legalising voluntary euthanasia passed its final vote in Parliament. The decision was made a conscience vote, meaning MPs voted individually, rather than along party lines. So how did your MP vote on the legislation? Read more
On Wednesday night, New Zealand’s Parliament voted by a 63 to 57 majority in favour of amending David Seymour’s End of Life Choice Bill to make its acceptance conditional on a binding referendum. With the acceptance of the amendment requiring a referendum, the Bill is likely to pass the third reading in November. However, it Read more
A Dutch euthanasia expert says he’s seen assisted dying in his country go from being seen as a last resort to a “project” to be managed. “I used to be a supporter of [euthanasia] legislation. But now, with twelve years of experience, I take a different view,” says Dr Theo A. Boer. From 2005 to Read more
The Disability Rights Commissioner says the process of enacting The End of Life Choice Bill is clumsy, awkward and deeply complex. Paula Tesoriero thinks it continues to pose risks for New Zealanders, particularly the disabled. She is concerned that disabled Kiwis may see themselves as a burden. “If New Zealanders want this kind of scheme” the Read more
The third reading of the End of Life Choice Bill began in the House of Representatives on Wednesday. It had passed its second reading, in June, 70 votes to 50. This stage will see politicians debating and individually voting on possibly more than a hundred changes to the bill, in a process that may take Read more
I am writing to congratulate Members of Parliament who bravely defended the God-given right to life of every member of our community and voted against the End of Life Choice bill (EOLCB). By voting in favour of this bill at the second reading, Parliament has abandoned its commitment to upholding a culture of life and Read more
On Wednesday evening David Seymour’s End of Life Choice Bill passed the second reading stage by 70 votes to 50; 9 votes more than the 61 votes required. It was a slimmer margin than the one achieved at first reading in December 2017. The vote then was 76 to 44. While the vote appears decisive with Read more
The Care Alliance, a charity which opposes physician-assisted euthanasia, has taken out a full-page advertisement in the New Zealand Herald. The letter has been signed by 1061 doctors, of the 17,000 registered doctors in New Zealand. Medical Association chair Dr Kate Baddock agreeds with the letter and the majority of their more than 5000 members oppose Read more