Australian voluntary euthanasia law is overturned
BMJ 1997; 314 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.314.7086.993c (Published 05 April 1997) Cite this as: BMJ 1997;314:993- Christopher Zinn
- Sydney
Australian doctors on both sides of the ethical divide have joined forces to call for an increase in government funding for palliative care after the world's first voluntary euthanasia law was overturned by parliament last week.
The Australian Medical Association welcomed the passing of the federal private member's bill that threw out the Northern Territory's historic Rights of the Terminally Ill Act but said that governments should take services for dying people more seriously. The association's president, Dr Keith Wollard, said: “No matter what our views on euthanasia, we must now work together to ensure more is done for the dying patient.”
The Coalition for Voluntary Euthanasia called the decision a “triumph for doctors over patients” but backed the call for better palliative …
Log in
Log in using your username and password
Log in through your institution
Subscribe from £173 *
Subscribe and get access to all BMJ articles, and much more.
* For online subscription
Access this article for 1 day for:
£38 / $45 / €42 (excludes VAT)
You can download a PDF version for your personal record.