I have some disappointing news: my Rights of the Terminally Ill Bill was defeated today in the NSW Upper House 23 – 13. But please don’t despair. This is not the end.

Dying with dignity laws are inevitable. This may have been a last century decision by the majority of members in the NSW Upper House today, but I am confident the weight of public support will come to bear within the next year.

I am of course bitterly disappointed with the result today, and with the MPs who I know support reform but chose to abstain or vote against the bill for political reasons.

Outrageously, not a single Coalition member voted in favour of the bill. It was hard to believe it was a conscience vote. Clearly pressure was placed on some members to not support my bill.

Already my office has received a number of calls from people in tears about the outcome.

I’m telling them that Independent MP Alex Greenwich, Independent MP Greg Piper and Greens MP Jamie Parker have agreed to co-sponsor the bill in the Lower House, so the campaign will continue.

Excuses about process, inadequate safeguards and a need for an inquiry, will eventually fall away in the face of the overwhelming tide for change.

If you can make it to Sydney, please join Jamie Parker and me at a special forum to discuss the next steps in the campaign on Sunday at the Italian Forum Cultural Centre, 21 Norton Street, Leichhardt from 3 – 4.30pm 26th May. More infomation here:
Thank you again for your continued support.

Here is a list of how MPs voted.

AGAINST
Ajaka, John (Liberals)
Borsak, Robert (Shooters & Fishers)
Brown, Robert (Shooters & Fishers)
Clarke, David (Liberals)
Colless, Richard (Nationals)
Cotsis, Sophie (Labor)
Cusack, Catherine (Liberals)
Donnelly, Greg (Labor)
Ficarra, Marie (Liberals)
Foley, Luke (Labor)
Gallacher, Michael (Liberals)
Gardiner, Jenny (Liberals)
Gay, Duncan (Nationals)
Green, Paul (Christian Democrats)
Lynn, Charlie (Liberals)
MacDonald, Scot (Liberals)
Maclaren-Jones, Natasha (Liberals)
Mason-Cox, Matthew (Liberals)
Mitchell, Sarah (Nationals)
Moselmane, Shaoquett (Labor)
Nile, Fred (Christian Democrats)
Pavey, Melinda (Nationals)
Secord, Walter (Labor)

FOR
Barham, Jan (Greens)
Buckingham, Jeremy (Greens)
Faehrmann, Cate (Greens)
Fazio, Amanda (Labor)
Kaye, John (Greens)
Primrose, Peter (Labor)
Searle, Adam (Labor)
Sharpe, Penny (Labor)
Shoebridge, David (Greens)
Veitch, Mick (Labor)
Voltz, Lynda (Labor)
Westwood, Helen (Labor)
Whan, Steve (Labor)

ABSTAIN
Niall Blair (Nationals)
Pearce, Gregory (Liberals)
Phelps, Peter (Liberals)
Khan, Trevor (Nationals.

Many MPs still haven’t publicly stated their position on the bill. Please help push them over the line by giving their office a call over the next 36 hours.

If you get a secretary, ask to speak to the Member or for them to call you back. If you’re calling after hours, you may need to leave a voice message.

Try not to get into an argument about the details of the bill. The bill has the support of experts in the field, including doctors and legal experts. It is safe, has excellent safeguards, and does exactly what it is intended to do.

Some suggestions of what to tell MPs:

1. Voluntary euthanasia law reform is compassionate: it’s about giving the terminally ill a choice to end their worst suffering at the very end of life if that is their wish
2. You expect them to vote in line with the vast majority of Australians who support the reform
3. The bill before Parliament is safe

4. You are watching how they will vote

If you have a personal story that explains why compassionate law reform for assisting dying is so important: start by telling your story.

Have you seen all the supporting documentation? If not, you can find the bill, the briefing note and a flow chart that explains how the legislation operates here.

Here is a list of MPs who haven’t indicated their support for the bill or otherwise. Please pick two or three and make your voice heard. But if you have the time and the passion, why not call them all?

• Greg Pearce (02) 9230 2428
• John Ajaka (02) 9230 2203
• Michael Gallacher (02) 9230 2302
• Niall Blair (02) 9230 2467
• Peter Phelps (02) 9230 3462
• Sarah Mitchell (02) 9230 3499
• Shaoquett Moselmane (02) 9230 2526
• Sophie Cotsis (02) 9230 2080

Cate with Loredana Alessio-Mulhall

*CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY*

As I rise to formally introduce the Rights of the Terminally Ill Bill 2013, I have at the forefront of my mind human suffering.

The suffering that we here in this place have the power to prevent, and I would strongly argue, the responsibility to prevent.

Suffering like that experienced by Angelique Flowers.

Diagnosed with an aggressive and advanced colon cancer just before her 31^st birthday, Angelique, an articulate, softly spoken writer learnt that despite all the achievements of modern medical science and the love, support and care of her family, she faced an agonising and grossly undignified death.

Angelique soon discovered that the type of cancer ravaging her body would mean her pain and suffering towards the end of her life would not be alleviated in any adequate way with palliative care.

Angelique’s colon cancer was aggressive. And it was cruel. And when she became aware of just how she would die Angelique desperately wanted to avoid dying this way.

But she did.

Continue Reading

The Rights of the Terminally Ill Bill was introduced to the NSW Legislative Council on Thursday May 2nd, debate began on May 9th and will continue on May 23rd.

The bill, a briefing note and a flow chart that explains the process and outlines the conditions that must be met for terminally ill patients to receive assistance to die can be downloaded below.

Rights of the Terminally Ill Bill

Rights of the Terminally Ill Bill 2013 – Flow chart

Rights of the Terminally Ill Bill – Briefing note

Continue Reading

A tour by Greens MP Cate Faehrmann

 Upcoming Forums: 

Mosman
Mosman Art Gallery, Grand Hall
Cnr Art Gallery Way and Myahgah Rd, Mosman
6.30 – 8 pm, Monday, 20^th May 2013

Previous Forums:

Cate speaking to attendees at the Dying with Dignity forum in Newcastle.

Wollongong
The Builders Club
61 Church St, Wollongong
6.30 – 8 pm, Wednesday, 6^th February 2013

Newcastle
Cardiff RSL
45 Macquarie Road, Cardiff
7 – 8.30pm Monday 11^th February     

Coffs Harbour
Cavanbah Centre
181 Harbour Drive, Coffs Harbour, NSW
6.30 – 8 pm, Tuesday 12^th February 2013

Ballina
Riverside Function Centre
240 River Street, Ballina NSW
6.30 – 8 pm, Wednesday 13^th February 2013

Attendees at Coffs Harbour showing their support for the rights of the terminally ill.

Dee Why
Dee Why Master Builders Club
18 Fisher Rd, Dee Why
6.30 – 8 pm, Tuesday, 9^th April 2013 

Parramatta
Parramatta Town Hall
182 Church St Mall, Parramatta
6.30 – 8 pm, Thursday, 11^th April 2013

Katoomba
Katoomba RSL Club
86 Lurline St, Katoomba
6.30 – 8 pm, Monday, 15^th April 2013

Orange
Orange City Bowling Club
61-89 Warrendine St, Orange
6.30 – 8 pm, Tuesday, 16^th April 2013

Wagga Wagga
Wagga Wagga Commercial Club
77 Gurwood St, Wagga Wagga
5.30 – 7 pm, Friday, 26^th April 2013

Tweed Heads
South Tweed Sports Club
4 Minjungbal Drive (Old Pacific Highway), Tweed Heads South
3.00 – 4.30 pm, Sunday, 5^th May 2013

Paddington
Paddington RSL
220-232 Oxford St, Paddington
6.30 – 8 pm, Monday, 13^th May 2013