- LETTER TO ATTORNEY GENERAL (FEDERAL) 15/02/06 -

The Hon Philip Ruddock
Federal Attorney General
House of Representatives
Parliament House
CANBERRA, ACT 2600

Reference: Letter sent to 17 Cabinet Ministers January 6, 2006

Dear Mr Ruddock,

I received a letter from the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, dated January 16, 2006, signed by an impossible to read signature (first name is David though), Ministerials Officer, copy attached. (Part of my professional training ensured a name was typed below a hand written signature, something about accepting responsibility for its contents). In it, I am advised that your office is responsible for the development of policy on legal issues; therefore my letter has been referred to you for attention. 

David tells me that the Prime Minister appreciates the time I have taken to convey my views to him, too busy personally, of course, he would still like to see the issues receive the attention they deserve. And so would I, Mr Ruddock, which is why I have taken the time and effort to follow my original correspondence through the channels. You now have two copies of the same letter, yours and that of the Prime Minister.

As I typed the address, House of Representatives, I thought “but is it?” that is “Representative”. I would like to believe that Australian Politicians truly represent all their constituents and not just the favoured lobby groups that hold almost unbelievable sway within the Halls of Parliament. The little man in the street does not, I believe, feel truly “represented” by Governments currently. The majority of people want Voluntary Euthanasia with strict guidelines and this is the reality, regardless of religious viewpoints, which control the majority. Tolerance of another’s viewpoint is not evident when it comes to voluntary euthanasia. Non religious people are discriminated against, in favor of those having a religious faith. A person is not able to force a gift of faith on themselves, it is either there for you personally or it doesn’t exist for you. You can’t will “Faith.”

I read in the Age Sunday Life February 5, under a “Then and Now” that the proportion of Australians aged 20 to 29 with no religious affiliations is 23 per cent in 2006, but back in 1975 it was only 14.5 per cent. With this type of statistics in mind, I would humbly suggest that Governments need to move forward with the times, and create Policy accordingly.

I’m personally horrified at the way State and Church have been meshed together when establishing Policy, based on religious values when Secularism has previously been the accepted method of operating Governments. As I’ve said elsewhere, No Man Can Serve Two Masters. 

I started my life in a Catholic Orphanage and I do not want to see my death controlled by Catholic Beliefs. Bad luck for me I know, Mr Ruddock that the Federal politicians from both Parties endorse a Christian viewpoint when adopting Policy, but my attitude now is that, this too will pass. Perhaps as your Ms Danna Vale tells us, Australia will become an Islamic country and then none of us will need worry about the Right to Die with Medical Assistance.

Your response to my both letters would be most appreciated, and I thank you for your time.


Mary Walsh
February 15, 2006 
Attachment

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