- LETTER TO BRONWYN PIKE (Minister for Health) 03/06/06 -
The Honorable Bronwyn Pike
Minister for Health
484 William Street
West Melbourne, 3003
Ref: CHOICE & DIGNITY IN DYING
Dear Ms Pike
Just in case there is any confusion in your office about my position in lobbying for the above cause, regardless of the fact I have previously been a long serving loyal member of the ALP I am attaching a copy of a letter I have written to Ms Helen Shardey, the current Opposition Shadow Minister for Health.
In addition, I have cut and pasted an excerpt of a letter sent elsewhere for your information also:
“I have already made it a political issue in that I am promoting THE ISSUE OF LEGISLATIVE CHANGE FOR CHOICE, not as a member of the ALP but as a human being with unresolved satisfaction in how my needs may be met in the future. A doctor refused to mark my medical records “Not for Resuscitation” even though I had specifically requested it be done. She wanted me to have “counseling” Do I appear to be someone who has no understanding of any ramifications that such a request may result in?
Do I appear disenfranchised with the current system?? Have I had sufficient “respectful & considered dialogue”?
Thirty years of respectful dialogue has achieved the MTA 1988, but I am persistently confronted with its non compliance and quite frankly I personally want my wishes to given the same respect that others of differing persuasions enjoy. I want choice for myself and I want legislation to have that enforced with Statutory Recognition.
I carry with me every day whilst lobbying, Labor rank and file resolutions from the ALP State Conference which has achieved nothing in the Government even while it held power in both houses of parliament this session. I am not told “good men will leave the party should this legislation be introduced” without ramification for that statement making me more determined that the ALP should more democratically represent its ordinary Members.”
You will have gathered from previous correspondence, that I don’t sit here just writing letters; I actively participate both within the ALP, and out there for the man on the street. Describing myself “as a flea between the shoulder blade” was not received with good humor by one Labor Member of Parliament but it does aptly apply to me.
On this issue I am apolitical and very active.
Mary Walsh
www.yourchoiceindying.com
June 3, 2006
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