South Australia defeats euthanasia bill - again.

By Alex Schadenberg

International Chair - Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

South Australian Parliament.

The Euthanasia bill in the South Australian legislature was defeated this morning. According to Australia's ABC News:

...the Death with Dignity bill from Liberal MP Duncan McFetridge was examined clause by clause and a conscience vote was tied at 23 votes for and against. 

Speaker Michal Atkinson then used his casting vote to decide against the bill and end the debate.

The final vote was cast at 4 am in the morning.

Read: Remarkable turnabout in the middle of the night. Euthanasia bill defeated in South Australia.

This was the fourteenth euthanasia bill to be defeated in the South Australian legislature over the past few years.

According to ABC news, Mr. McFetridge stated that another euthanasia bill will be introduced soon.

Paul Russell, the director of HOPE Australia, was ecstatic with the victory.

The defeat of the euthanasia bill came after months of work.

South Australia has been the epicenter of the euthanasia debate in Australia for many years. Just one month ago, Steph Key withdrew her euthanasia bill, in response to criticism with only a few days later Duncan McFetridge tabling his bill.

The euthanasia lobby appears to be wearing down the opposition in the South Australian legislature by constantly bringing forth new euthanasia proposals (drip by drip). Maybe the South Australian legislature should simply say, no more, at least for now. 

The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition encourages its supporters to thank Paul Russell in its successful campaign by giving HOPE Australia a donation.