- LETTER TO KIM BEAZLEY 14/04/05 -

The following letter is a contribution from a reader, contact details were supplied but deleted. I would love to see more Australians getting involved in lobbying those representing us in Parliament. Please remember politicians are not mind readers, they need to be told what your concerns are for your own wellbeing both now and in the future.

Mr Kim Beasley
Leader of the Opposition
Parliament House
Canberra - A.C.T. 2600
14/04/2005

Dear Mr Beasley

With reference to my attached copy of correspondence dated 31st January 2005, I wish to acknowledge receipt of your welcome letter of reply dated 8th March 2005 and I wish to express my appreciation for the trouble that you have gone to in replying.

Having read the content of your letter with interest and as stated therein that you will bring the matters I raised to the attention of the relevant Shadow Minister’s, however you fail to express any personal commitment to the freedom of choice where end of life decisions are concerned.

As realised, it is mainly the minority but vocal religious lobby pressure groups who misguidedly dictate their own questionable morality, for the terminally ill to sadly endure against their will and suffer to the very end.

Over the past twenty years, every poll on ‘Physician Assisted Dying’ reveals that 75% upwards of those surveyed want the inalienable right of control and choice to be legally available at a time of ones own choosing, in their hour of need. As politicians are the peoples elected representatives and with Labor having current valid Voluntary Euthanasia policy, our leaders should be more respectful of the will of the people and adhere to the democratic process of good government.

However it appears patiently obvious that when confronted with this sensitive, majority supported issue, that public sentiments do not necessarily translate into political action where timid politicians on both sides of politics are concerned.

In order to encourage political circumspection, please find enclosed copies of most recently circulated print media reports, one of which conveys the findings of the U.K. House of Lords Joint Parliamentary Special Select Committee study into ‘Assisted Dying’ in Oregon U.S., Switzerland and the Netherlands.

In knowing that I am not speaking against a tide of public opinion, it is in anticipation that I await a reply at your earliest convenience.

Yours Truly

R Bennett