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Supplementary Order Paper No 260

No 260

House of Representatives

Supplementary Order Paper

Tuesday, 30 July 2019

End of Life Choice Bill

Proposed amendments

Hon Dr Nick Smith, in Committee, to move the following amendments:

Clause 8

In clause 8(2), after paragraph (d) (page 6, after line 17) insert:

(da)

ensure the person discusses their wish with their immediate family (their partner, parents or children); and

In clause 8(2), replace “family, friends, and” (page 6, lines 18 and 19) with “friends or”.

Explanatory note

The current Bill does not require a person requesting euthanasia to discuss this with their family. This means somebody’s partner, parents or children will not find out until after the person is dead. This amendment ensures the person discusses their wish with their immediate family, defined as their partner, parents or children. The requirement to discuss does not prevent the person making a decision independently of their immediate family, and ensures family are involved prior to a person’s life being terminated.