March 2018

Disability Rights Commissioner opposes assisted dying bill
Stuff co.nz 7 March 2018
Family First Comment: The opposition builds…

The Disability Rights Commissioner says the euthanasia bill currently being considered by Parliament undermines years of work.

Paula Tesoriero said David Seymour’s private member’s the End of Life Choice Bill, which was currently before the Justice Select Committee, undermined years of work to change perceptions of disabled people, and posed significant risks to them.

Tesoriero has outlined her concerns regarding the bill in a submission to the select committee. The window to submit a written submission on the bill closed midnight on Tuesday. More than 14,000 submissions were received.

“Much of the discussion so far has centred around the bill allowing people with a terminal illness to end their life on their own terms,” Tesoriero said.

“However, this bill has wider implications for the disability community – it is not just limited to terminal illness.”

Before the country legislated choice in death, it needed to work towards ensuring, to the greatest extent possible, all people had the same freedom of choice in life.
READ MORE: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/102046196/Disability-Rights-Commissioner-opposes-assisted-dying-bill?cid=app-iPhone

‘There’s a sanctity of life argument’ – Simon Bridges still doesn’t support euthanasia bill, despite pleas from Tauranga constituents
TVNZ One News 5 March 2018
Family First Comment: “[H]e holds concerns around the safeguards which would be put in place for those requesting euthanasia, and also said he believes “a lot of doctors are worried about playing God”.
Correct. Hold the line, Simon
www.protect.org.nz

National Party leader Simon Bridges says he still does not support a bill which would grant people the right to request euthanasia, saying “there is a sanctity of life argument”.

The End of Life Choice Bill passed a conscience vote in Parliament 74 to 44, and its stated intent is to give people “with a terminal illness or a grievous and irremediable medical condition the option of requesting assisted dying”.

He also voted against the gay marriage legalisation bill, but has since said he would probably change his vote on that if it were done today.
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/theres-sanctity-life-argument-simon-bridges-still-doesnt-support-euthanasia-bill-despite-pleas-tauranga-constituents?auto=5744785143001