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.

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