ALBANY Creek parishioner Shirley Strickland stands firm against euthanasia and still hopes a majority of Queensland’s politicians will drop their support for a Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill when it comes to a vote this month.
The 86-year-old was one of a hardy band of Catholics joining a morning rally outside parliament in Brisbane to voice her opposition to VAD, clutching a placard that read: Compassion never kills.
“Just striking a blow for the cause. If we don’t talk about it who will,” Mrs Strickland said above the roar of commuter traffic heading for work.
Protesters waved their placards. Passing motorists sounded their horns.
“I really don’t think the kids understand. If you tell them Nazi Germany started like this … you’re talking to a different generation,” Mrs Strickland said.
“Palliative care is so good these days. There is no need for any of this (euthanasia) at all.”
Other protesters shared Mrs Strickland’s sentiments, voicing their opposition before Queensland’s MPs are expected to start debating the VAD Bill on September 14.
“I think we’ve got to be present and visible to show we don’t support this sort of legislation,” Gary Humphrys from Little Flower Church, Kedron said.
Like many doctors he envisages “unacceptable risks” if MPs vote for euthanasia.
The proposed laws would override “conscientious objection” by hospitals, nursing homes and medical staff who oppose euthanasia.
According to the VAD bill as it stands, if dying patients are too sick or frail to move but are requesting VAD, hospitals could be forced to allow euthanasia in their institutions by handing power to VAD doctors.
Catholic hospitals have vowed to resist allowing doctors to enter their premises to administer end-of-life drugs.
“Hospitals and aged care need to have a right to allow people to have access to palliative care and not have VAD inside their facilities,” Mr Humphreys said.
“There is a definite momentum in the public square [supporting euthanasia], but that does not stop us saying what is right and what is ethically and morally the right thing to do to have compassion and care in our society for those who are most vulnerable.
“Love should rule our hearts and minds and in what Jesus said and how Jesus asked us to love the sick love the vulnerable, love the prisoners and have compassion.
“That’s why I’m here.”
Opposition MP Dr Mark Robinson, also spoke out about the potential impacts of euthanasia.
He was a dissenting voice on the Queensland parliament’s Health and Environment Committee that recommended the VAD bill pass unchanged.
“The government here has got this very wrong and I would welcome any Labor MPs – those that have concerns to just not support this bill,” Dr Robinson said.
“Go back to the drawing board and invest more heavily in palliative care.”
There are many thousands of people who support you, he told the rally.
“We are the underdogs, there’s no question about it. But I’m not giving up. There’s still a chance this can be stopped, the chance the bill could be amended,” he said.
Cherish Life Queensland is organising a public rally against proposed euthanasia laws on September 11. Find out more about the event, March for Life, here.
