Western Australian Parliament has marathon debate on euthanasia bill.

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director - Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

The rally against the euthanasia bill

ABC News Australia reported that after a 20-hour marathon debate, the Western Australia euthanasia bill only achieved debate on 50 of the 184 clauses in the euthanasia bill.

Jacob Kagi, writing for ABC News reported:

The all-night sitting wrapped up after 5:00 am on Friday, having started at 9:00 am on Thursday, but the McGowan Government is still an enormous distance from getting its bill through State Parliament's Lower House. 

The Government had hoped the marathon session would get them through debate of at least 100 out of the 184 clauses in the contentious bill... 

But the Government conceded defeat at 5:21 am, having got through just 50 clauses and angry at what it labelled filibustering from opponents of the bill. 

That means more all-night sittings loom as all but inevitable when Parliament returns after a one-week break.

If euthanasia was a good idea, then why are "safeguards" necessary? Possibly because doctors gaining the right in law to kill their patients will always be problematic and often abused.

Several weeks ago the Western Australia government announced its intention to fast-track the euthanasia bill.

Opposition to euthanasia, usually grows, as the issue is debated. More information leads to less support for euthanasia. Hopefully these marathon sessions will lead to the defeat of the bill.