The Catechism addresses euthanasia in paragraphs 2276-2279. There we read: “Whatever its motives and means, direct euthanasia consists in putting an end to the lives of handicapped, sick, or dying persons. It is morally unacceptable. … [A]n act or omission which… causes death in order to eliminate suffering constitutes a murder gravely contrary to the dignity of the human person and to the respect due to the living God, his Creator.”

In June 2019, the Victorian Labor government legalised euthanasia, sometimes also known by the deceptive term ‘assisted dying’. Euthanasia as practised in Victoria refers to a terminally-ill person voluntarily ending their own life, with the assistance of a doctor and other health-care professionals if required. Under the law passed in 2019, medical professionals were not obligated to participate in euthanasia, nor were they permitted to raise euthanasia with their patients. The request had to come from the patient. At the time, the Victorian government insisted that there were no plans to extend the accessibility of euthanasia or to enable medical professionals to raise euthanasia with patients.

The Victorian Labor government undertook a review of the euthanasia laws between June 2023 and June 2024. This review reports that between 2019-2023, an application for euthanasia was submitted by 2,099 Victorians. Of these, 1,476 obtained a permit to take their own life. According to the government report, 912 people actually ended their life through euthanasia.

In response to the review, the Victorian Labor government has now reneged on several of its original policy commitments regarding euthanasia.

This week, Archbishop Comensoli released the following statement:

The Victorian Government’s announcement of reforms to euthanasia and assisted suicide laws is deeply distressing, with the protection and care of vulnerable and dying people further marginalised…

[T]he Government is proposing numerous changes to the law, including to force medical practitioners who conscientiously object to VAD to provide information about it to patients…

Providing patients with lethal chemicals to end their life is not health care.

The proposed changes will send a chill down the spines of the many hard-working healthcare professionals who want no part in causing death, as well as many vulnerable patients who fear being pushed down a path that they do not wish to take.

I call on the Government to instead provide proper support for palliative care throughout the state to ensure that all Victorians who require it can access appropriate care close to home and family so that they can die with real dignity.

Every human life is created and loved by God, and worthy of protection from the moment of conception until natural death.

You may like to take time to contact our local Labor members of Parliament to express your opposition to the euthanasia laws and the proposed ‘reforms’.

Ella George | Legislative Assembly (Lara & Corio, Lower House)
03 5275 2898 | ella.george@parliament.vic.gov.au

Jacinta Ermacora | Legislative Council (Western Districts, Upper House)
03 9651 8238 | jacinta.ermacora@parliament.vic.gov.au

Gayle Tierney | Legislative Council (Western Districts, Upper House)
03 5224 2088 | gayle.tierney@parliament.vic.gov.au