Thursday, 23 September 2021
SIX weeks after launching consultation to gauge the community’s feelings toward the upcoming Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2021, Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall today announced he’d been inundated with almost 3,000 responses so far, the vast majority in favour of the proposal.
Mr Marshall said, as of today, he’d received 2,671 individual responses from constituents to his survey, with 79.8 per cent (2,132) strongly in favour of the Bill, which is being put forward by Independent Member for Sydney Alex Greenwich.
“I thank everyone who has responded so far and those who have taken the time to write or email me with additional thoughts and views,” Mr Marshall said.
“With Parliament scheduled to return on 12 October, there’s still time for more people to have their say and I’m urging people to provide me with their thoughts over the coming weeks.”
Mr Marshall said hearing from as many people in the electorate before the Bill was debated would shape his contribution to the debate and ultimately voting on the Bill.
“I have my own strong personal views on this issue and the Bill, however, I will be speaking and voting on the Bill in accordance with the wishes of the Northern Tablelands community,” he said.
“That’s why I want to hear from as people as possible, to ensure I can reflect as best I can the overall views of our region.
“Any comments, questions and concerns are most welcome and will be treated by and my staff in the strictest confidence.”
The Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2021 aims to do is provide a legislative framework for the rights of terminally ill persons to request and receive assistance to end their lives voluntarily.
Under the Bill, only adults diagnosed with a terminal illness that will cause death within six months, or 12 months for neurodegenerative conditions, and who are experiencing suffering as a result of the condition that cannot be tolerably relieved, will be able to access voluntary assisted dying.
To participate in Mr Marshall’s survey or view a copy of the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2021, please visit www.adammarshall.com.au/survey/