Euthanasia Advocates Make Strong Push In New Zealand, But Come Up Short

While most readers of NRL News are up to speed on euthanasia-related activities in the United States, they may not be aware how actively euthanasia forces are pushing their agenda in Europe and in places in the Southern Hemisphere, such as New Zealand and Australia. Recently, anti-euthanasia forces had a very close call in New Zealand.

In June, a "private-members bill" was brought forward in the New Zealand Parliament that would have mandated a nationwide plebiscite on the question of legalizing euthanasia for "the terminal and incurable." The initial level of support clearly suggested that the vote would be very, very close.

An informal newspaper survey of lawmakers conducted by the New Zealand Press Association in early July found 37 members of parliament (MPs) voicing support while 33 responded they would vote against the measure. That left another 50 or so MPs who were either undecided or who refused to make their opinions known. Prime Minister Helen Clark announced her support for whatever pro-euthanasia measure might come to her desk.

Faced with such uncertainty, SPUC New Zealand and Right to Life of New Zealand invited Brian Johnston to help. Johnston is director of National Right to Life's Western Office, and author of the book Death As A Salesman: What's Wrong With Assisted Suicide. His work had helped defeat numerous state euthanasia bills as well as thwart euthanasia proposals in South Africa and elsewhere.

The organizations arranged for numerous public meetings and media interviews for Johnston. Johnston also was able to speak with key members of parliament before the vote. In addition RTL New Zealand sent copies of Johnston's documentary video Death As A Salesman to the 50 non-committed parliamentarians.

Lesley Martin, president of the pro-euthanasia EXIT New Zealand, predicted quick victory for the bill and subsequent passage of the referendum. She noted that opinion polls consistently show that 70-75% of New Zealanders would support legalizing euthanasia.

But when the vote was held in the New Zealand Parliament July 30 the measure failed by the narrowest of margins: 60 opposed, 58 in support, with one abstention.

"That was far too close for comfort," said Philip Lynch, director of SPUC New Zealand. Losing by such a small margin, he said, means "they're going to be back."

Indeed, thanks to strong media support, and the close vote in parliament, the public clamor over euthanasia has continued unabated throughout the summer.

A year ago Leslie Martin published a book in which she admitted giving her 68-year-old mother an overdose of morphine. On August 26, 2003, Martin was "committed for trial," which is not expected to begin until next year, according to Australian news sources.

She appears to be relishing her role as a potential "martyr" for the cause. "I have been wanting a trial on this all along," she told the New Zealand Press Association on August 27. "We need to keep this in the public consciousness."

AUSTRALIA

After the New Zealand vote, NRLC's Johnston traveled to Sydney, Melbourne, and Canberra, Australia's capital. There he spoke at meetings arranged by Australian pro-life groups. Johnston, who, in addition to being an author, has also served as a California commissioner on aging and on the state's Board of Examiners of Nursing Homes, conducted numerous media interviews outlining the dangers legalized euthanasia poses to the medically and emotionally vulnerable.

Australia has undergone a roller-coaster experience with euthanasia. Its most prominent euthanasia advocate is Philip Nitschke. In 1995 he helped pass a "physician-assisted suicide" bill in the Northern Territory and had himself participated in such suicides.

[The modern nation of Australia is a federation of six states and two federal territories - - the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory.].

Euthanasia was legal in the Northern Territory until 1996. That year Kevin Andrews, an Australian member of parliament who now serves in the cabinet as minister for the ageing, authored a federal bill that outlawed euthanasia in the Northern Territory.

This has not deterred Nitschke, who has crisscrossed his country and been able to have euthanasia bills introduced in several Australian state parliaments. It is no coincidence that Nitschke held workshops throughout New Zealand earlier this year. Already New Zealanders comprise about 10 percent of the overall membership of Nitschke's organization, EXIT Australia.

Mr. Andrews met with Johnston while he was in Australia. Congratulating Johnston on the vote in New Zealand, the MP told NRL News, "While we have had some significant victories, the battle for the hearts and minds of Australians is still very much with us." "We must make sure that the positive message of true compassion and caring is heard over the emotional din of the euthanasia crowd."