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Supplementary Order Paper No 340

No 340

House of Representatives

Supplementary Order Paper

Tuesday, 10 September 2019

End of Life Choice Bill

Proposed amendment to SOP No 259

Chris Penk, in Committee, to move the following amendment:

Clause 20

In clause 20(1), replace paragraph (a) (page 18) with:

(a)

a person who, in the opinion of the Minister, has obtained relevant qualifications and experience in the field of medical ethics; and

Explanatory note

This Supplementary Order Paper amends Supplementary Order Paper No 259 amending the End of Life Choice Bill by clarifying what is required in relation to a “medical ethicist” (as that term is used in the proposed legislation).

If a medical ethicist is so important as a member of the Review Committee that the position is being specifically required, then the legislation should contain a degree of clarity about the basis on which such an appointment is to be made.

Given that there is no particular qualification that would necessary include and exclude persons from the meaning of “medical ethicist”, it seems appropriate to accord the determination to the Minister of Health.