Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

Significant increase in opposition to euthanasia

10 December 2018

Significant increase in opposition to euthanasia: submissions analysis

There has been a significant increase in opposition to the legalisation of euthanasia, according to Peter Thirkell, Secretary of the Care Alliance.

“Of the 21,277 submissions to the Health Select Committee’s investigation into end of life issues, 77 percent were opposed to legalisation,” said Dr Thirkell. “By contrast, there were more than 36,000 submissions to the Justice Select Committee about the End of Life Choice Bill, and preliminary analysis shows opposition running at 92percent.”

Dr Thirkell said that the increase in both the number of submissions and the proportion opposed to euthanasia is highly significant. “What we are seeing is that the more people know about euthanasia the less they like it.”

As of 7 December, just over 26,000 submissions have been uploaded to the Parliamentary website, of which Care Alliance volunteers have so far read, analysed and coded 20,000. Dr Thirkell says that a final report will be issued once Parliamentary Services staff finish uploading all the submissions.

Dr Thirkell said that “Mr Seymour should accept that the overwhelming majority of submitters argue that euthanasia is unnecessary and dangerous for practical reasons related to suicide prevention, respect for disabled people, and the vulnerability of people with terminal or chronic illnesses.”

He said that many of the submissions contained deeply moving personal stories. “We trust that the Select Committee will hear that we need to improve mental health, disability and end of life services in New Zealand, but that euthanasia is a problem rather than a solution.”

ENDS

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.