Essay On Euthanasia In Australia

Euthanasia is derived from the Greek word euthanatos which means “easy death”. “Euthanasia is the termination of a very sick person's life in order to relieve them of their suffering. A person who undergoes euthanasia usually has an incurable condition. But there are other instances where some people want their life to be ended.” It is a very controversial topic not only in Australia but all over the world. There are different categories of euthanasia and each has its own rights and wrongs. Forms are active and passive Euthanasia, voluntary and involuntary euthanasia, indirect euthanasia and assisted dying. Euthanasia is illegal in Australia on a federal level but Australian states and territories have legislated on the issue. It was legal for a period …show more content…
But the Catholic opposition, decided to overturn the Northern Territory law through the Australian Federal Parliament in March 1997.It was decided, “The federal parliament could not have stepped in if one of the six more independent States had passed a law to legalise voluntary euthanasia. However, the three Territories have fewer powers than the States.” In South Australia, this law also had not approved in 1995. In November 2017, the legislation allows the euthanasia. The Victorian Government has passed the laws to legalise the euthanasia from 2019 because “The legislation calls for an 18-month "implementation period" to finalise outstanding details and the exact nature of the lethal drugs that will be used.” The people have different attitudes towards euthanasia. “Majority of Australians support making voluntary euthanasia legal for someone experiencing incurable suffering.”(The World Today,2012). “I’m speaking for 80% of the Australian population here who support the euthanasia laws and in terms of Catholics and Anglicans, I’m speaking for up to 70% of them as well”. Euthanasia survey between 2007 and 2016.