- LETTER TO ALL SENATORS 05/04/05 -

A copy of this letter was sent to all Senators with a personal message addressed to each of them, telling them a little about myself but mainly emphasizing the points made below.   I know that there are some who will understand my concerns, I just hope there are enough of them to make a difference!   Please lobby Senators.  They are not mind readers and need to be told of your fears and hopes for this Bill.

 Senator, you, or the person who deals with your emails will see immediately that I am an activist for choice and dignity in dying.   Should you do me the honour of visiting my web page www.yourchoiceindying.com you will also see that I am a person "of interest to the Government" should this Bill,  as it stands be adopted.   I am not a terrorist but I leave myself open to laws that relate to activities,  as if I was one.   That is, this Government takes upon itself with the help of other Senators to scrutinize my emails, my telephone and my faxes.    The Government in its wisdom has seen the "talking" of how to achieve a peaceful death as illegal.   Not talking about bombing Parliament, but taking pills in a manner so as to relieve pain and suffering.   Is this curtailment of free speech the tip of the ice berg for a future dictatorship?   

Is this another version of the so called "slippery slope"? using the unfortunate position of the sick, the frail, the elderly frail and the terminally ill.    In trying to "protect the young" from themselves in the heat of the moment from committing suicide, this Bill seeks to "disadvantage the elderly frail".   Mr Howard, along with Ministers from both sides of Parliament know that repeated requests to State Governments over 30 years has failed to achieve any significant demonstration of compassion by politicians.   They're invariably younger, fitter, healthier and have no concept of being in a position where life is serving no meaningful purpose,(well not yet anyhow).   Lobbying politicians is a thankless task, with the majority not bothering to respond at all, forgetting the platitudes of the those who do.   Do you see our dilemma Senator Ellison, we just don't have many choices left in order to ensure a peaceful death for ourselves.   We asked politely over many years to have a voice and be heard by those elected to represent us.  To bring in laws acknowledging the legality of "Living Wills" and "Advanced Directives" and depending on which State we live,   we are at the medical staff's mercy.   

We, the ill, have to accept the ruling of a person not of our philosophy, faith or who even gives a damn about us as a person.   A human being, who all their lives have been responsible for their own wellbeing from the age of 15 to 60 is then left with some else making one of the most important decision of their life, the manner of their death.   Senator, the young will always have the energy to find a solution for whatever decision they've made.   The elderly do not.   Please don't make their lives any harder, sadder or stressful,  by impeding their route to a peaceful death.   Do not target organisations such as Exit, the Voluntary Euthanasia Societies or private individuals such as myself,  threatening us with huge fines which will only benefit the lawyers in the long run.   

Activism by definition says something about the fibre of the people who undertake it.   It means that we hold very strong beliefs about voluntary euthanasia, and it usually arises out of an experience either by ourselves or a loved one.   I realise it may be a dirty word in politics and it doesn't make any money, but please, can we be shown compassion and be given a choice to die with dignity, discreetly.  At all times my web page emphasises "choice".  If it is not for you, that's OK, but please make provision for people who hold different views to your own.        

You do, after all Senator, represent people from a great variety of beliefs, when making laws, not just your own.    Please give my views (and other like minded people) your genuine consideration,  when tabling the Criminal Code Amendment (Suicide Related Material Offences) Bill 2004.  Even the name of the Bill is offensive to link criminality with bringing about peace and serenity with a hastened death,  for those desperately in need of it.   This Bill targets those who will rot and decay while still living, until and unless Law Reform works for the people not against them.       

Please demonstrate pity for those a lot less fortunate than yourself.   Thank you for your time...  

Mary Walsh            
November 10, 2003