- LETTER TO MS ANN BARKER 31/03/07 -

Member for Oakleigh (Victoria) Ms Ann Barker

From: Your Choice In Dying [mailto:choice@yourchoiceindying.com]
Sent: Saturday, March 31, 2007 6:37 AM
To: 'ann@annbarker.net'
Subject: Poll & Representation

Here Ms Barker, is the answer to your question of "numbers."

"The Newspoll survey was conducted nationally over 2423 respondents.

Newspoll are in the business of polls and their results should be very representative of the population. The respondents are carefully randomly selected to give a good overall representation and the questions are as
neutral as possible.

Newspapers & TV polls cannot be said to be as accurate because there is no control over the selection of respondents and may often be associated withan emotional article. Also, certain groups can hijack them if they have a good phone network. However, they can be a good guide".

On page 37 under a document headed "Labor: Listens then Acts" of which I only have the one relevant page to me, but with the ALP logo proudly displayed centre bottom of the page, is the following  statement....(hence my numerous references to "Labor Listens then Acts (which it doesn't necessarily, does it?)

The dignity of life and death

4.33 In keeping with the existing bi partisan policy, Labor will allow terminally ill people to refuse active treatment intended to prolong life.

Labor has:

o Improved funding for palliative care services across the state; and

o Ensured that Victorians have the right to a say, directly or indirectly, in every decision that affects their lives.

Labor will undertake an education and information campaign targeting health professionals, to improve knowledge of the workings of the Medical Treatment Act.

My discussion yesterday centred around the second dot point in "have a right to a say sic in every decision that affects their lives"

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN PRECISELY?

What purpose is served by "having a right" if that right has no legal status?

If health care workers and relatives "rights" take precedence over that of the patient, what is the purpose of the MTA to protect the patient's rights?

I am requesting you as my Representative in Parliament please to put this question directly to the Minister for Health on my behalf, and I would appreciate a response in writing.

In addition, Ms Barker - I am still awaiting a response to my letter written to you in January asking how I may expect you to represent my interests when the debate on Advance Directives/ Living Wills becomes reality. I was asking in the context that the Greens are likely to introduce it into the Upper House within this Term of  Government.....You may
remember me speaking of it previously....

The initiative of "Respecting Patient Choices" is useless without the protection of legal status in law. People need to know, in advance of its need, it has no genuine basis for protection of their rights.....(like asking if you'd like sugar with your tea, but serving it up, however gracefully, without sugar!, But RPC appears to pay lip service to the process of "asking"! Polite - but meaningless)

I understand Ms Barker that you are a very busy lady with your numerous roles throughout the community but I don't feel my issues are of any less importance than many others that vie for your time. From my POV I can't actually remember one instance in years that I have not been the one to initiate contact with you to receive a response ongoing to my concerns.

Frankly I feel ignored by the Government elected to represent me, along with an independent surveyed 80% of Victorian respondents .

What does it take to be heard?

Thank you for your time and I really would appreciate a written response to my concerns.

Mary Walsh

www.yourchoiceindying.com

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