X-Message-Number: 7917 Date: Fri, 21 Mar 1997 17:21:39 -0700 From: David Brandt-Erichsen <> Subject: Australia update From THE AUSTRALIAN (abridged) SENATE CLOSE TO ENDING EUTHANASIA LAW By CHRISTOPHER DORE MARCH 22: The world's first euthanasia law appears likely to be overturned by the Federal Parliament next week, with more senators now publicly backing the Andrews Bill outlawing the use of the Northern Territory's controversial right-to-die legislation. However, nine of the 73 senators to vote have yet to reveal their positions on the conscience issue that has divided the Federal Parliament. After four days of emotional debate in the Senate on the anti-euthanasia Bill of Liberal MP Mr Kevin Andrews, the outcome of the vote on Monday night is still uncertain, although it appears it will be passed by the slimmest margin. It is apparent that at least 34 senators will support the anti-euthanasia Bill, while just 30 will reject it. Of the nine remaining, seven have not delivered a speech on the issue during the debate, including the Government's Senate leader, South Australian moderate Liberal Robert Hill. Although, all parties have stated the vote would be one of conscience, the Government's core leadership group has so far supported the Andrews Bill. The debate has taken a heavy toll on many senators, particularly those still to make up their minds. One of the nine undeclared - Tasmanian Labor backbencher Senator Kay Denman - yesterday said she had "torn myself apart" over the issue, changing her position a number of times this week. Senator Denman said the pressure from lobby groups on both sides of the debate was so intense over the past week that she had now refused to meet with any of them. With the fate of the territory law on a knife's edge, Dr Philip Nitschke, the man who has assisted in the deaths of all four people to die under the legislation, will issue a last-minute plea in Canberra tomorrow for the law not to be overturned. With many believing there is just one vote that could change the result, supporters of both sides have desperately lobbied the remaining undeclared senators. Territory Coalition Senator Grant Tambling, a staunch supporter of territories' rights, said yesterday the vote was still too close to call. But yesterday other euthanasia supporters indicated that the Andrews Bill was likely to be passed by one vote. Greens Senator Bob Brown was hopeful that, if the euthanasia law was overturned, one of his amendments allowing the two known people in the process of utilising the law would be allowed to proceed with euthanasia with the support of the Senate. Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=7917