Politicians who vote to make it easier for doctors to kill patients via euthanasia can expect Family First to preference against them at next year's state election.
Family First's Victorian upper house candidates Bernie Finn and Jane Foreman have condemned the Allan Government's latest moves to make it easier for vulnerable people to be wrongfully killed via lethal injection along with Liberal leader Brad Battin's support for it.
"Allowing doctors to suggest euthanasia to patients fundamentally changes the doctor–patient relationship," Mr Finn said.
"No one should underestimate the power of a doctor's suggestion. When a person is sick, frightened or depressed, even the hint that they are a burden can become a nudge toward wrongful death."
Under the government's proposed changes, doctors will be able to proactively raise euthanasia as an 'option' in end-of-life discussions. The reforms will also:
Force conscientious objectors to provide information about euthanasia, violating freedom of conscience;
Double the eligibility window from six to twelve months allowing people to be killed more quickly; and
Remove key safeguard requirements, such as the need for a third specialist opinion in neurodegenerative cases.
"These so-called 'reforms' are nothing less than putting grease on the slippery slope," Ms Foreman said.
"When euthanasia was introduced, its advocates promised there would be tough safeguards and that it wouldn't be expanded because 'there was no slippery slope'. Now they're breaking those promises."
Family First warned that Victoria is heading down the same dangerous path as Canada, where reports have emerged of a dementia patient being euthanised at the family's suggestion.
"Is this where euthanasia takes us?" Mr Finn asked. "Who decides whose life is worth living—doctors, or family members who don't want to care for the elderly and the mentally ill? It's chilling."
Ms Foreman said the new laws will further endanger vulnerable Victorians and coerce medical professionals who want no part in taking life.
"Doctors should be healers, not killers," she said. "Forcing conscientious objectors to facilitate euthanasia information tramples on basic human rights."
Mr Finn called out Liberal Leader Brad Battin for supporting the changes.
"Brad Battin should hang his head. No genuine conservative should back this," he said.
"Every politician who votes for this Bill betrays the dignity of human life. We will preference against those who vote to trample dissenting doctors' consciences and allow euthanising doctors to 'suggest' a patient be euthanised."
Family First will stand candidates across Victoria who will defend the sanctity of life and promote proper palliative care so people can die with dignity without the threat of being pressured to 'do the right thing' and to 'not be a burden'.
"The compassionate response to suffering is properly funded palliative care, not state-sanctioned killing," Ms Foreman said.
"Euthanasia always leads to wrongful deaths of the vulnerable. It's time to draw a line."
