Good Morning Ms Pennicuik,

As I have written to all six of my representatives in State Parliament in both Houses, I didn’t want you feeling neglected – even though I know the Greens already have a policy in place supporting the cause for voluntary euthanasia.

I will continue to support the Greens because of that support which is so necessary to assist those too sick and frail to be politically active.   I endeavour to represent them to a large extent by continual writing and promoting the cause throughout the State Parliament system.   I am eternally grateful to Colleen Hartland, Bill Smith and Candy Broad for their support in the face of it being an uphill battle….This year I am focusing on the financial cost to the State Government by ignoring the elephant in the room….. The chronic, terminal and aged of us, who want to make choices as adults about our end of life choices.

Thank you for your time,

Mary Walsh

Good Morning Mr Lenders

Again I am contacting you to ask you to reconsider your position on choice and dignity in dying and attitudes towards the Physician Assisted Dying Bill which failed so dismally in this Parliamentary term because of manipulation of the democratic process.  You have your beliefs, but I hold an alternative view along with many other constituents of yours and you are there I believe to represent OUR interests, that is the majority!.

85% of Victorians as surveys consistently show want and need the Medical Treatment Act to be modified to accommodate changing medical technology and social attitudes.

As the financial whiz of the State’s Labor Party it shouldn’t be too hard to appeal to your financial hip pocket if the simple idea of ordinary compassion doesn’t move you.    Already there are clear indications that geriatric is not the preferred career choice of our young educated with the world at their finger tips.     Buildings and beds will not solve the problem of a haemorrhaging health budget, and set to become worse very soon.

What more can Victorians do to persuade politicians that the taxpayers cannot sustain an unproductive and ever increasing aged, chronic and terminally ill patients with prolonged dying the order of the day.    Death is seen as a blessed relief to many of us with chronic health problems and when it comes time to go! Quite simply I believe there is little point in delaying the inevitable outcome which is surely the end of us all, regardless of who and how!

As educated adults charged with the care of our newer generations, we should be permitted the courtesy of acknowledging our  intelligence to know what is best for ourselves as individuals.   It is always about choice!   In the same way legislation covers driving and places limits with penalties, the law could also deal with voluntary euthanasia if there was the will.

Governments have little compunction at all about sending off 20 year old fine, healthy strapping young people off to fight wars in far away countries, not even protecting Australian soil – and yet these same governments become so coy when old people approach them about providing the legal means to end of life choices!

I am not worried about becoming “a burden on society” but I am selfish enough to want to know that I can live a full and purposeful life until I die.    I don’t want to spend the last five years confined and relying on others for my every need.   I am asking you as my sitting member to ensure that my needs are as important to you as any Right to Life activist!   Choice for the individual solves conflicting ethics according to creed.

Thank you for you time.

Mary Walsh

Good Morning Ms Huppert,

I had no luck at all with your predecessor, Evan Thornley, as the Southern Metropolitan Labor Rep,  but I am hopeful that you have a more open mind towards choice and dignity in dying when the Physician Assisted Dying Bill is reintroduced into Victorian Parliament by any other name.

I’ve already had many years of shattering unsuccess with Ann Barker as my Member for Oakleigh on this matter but a new broom sweeps clean and perhaps that will be the case with you in the upcoming Victorian State election.

As I’ve explained to Ms Barker, I am going to actively campaign against any politician who does not support the concept of choice for the individual. I have already ceased to be an active campaigner since my resignation from the Labor Party,  but will support members such as Rob Hudson who has shown himself to be a compassionate humane politician.

I am appealing for all politicians to consider the financial ramifications of ignoring those of us in the community, all 85% of Victorians, who prefer choice to enduring pain.

I would appreciate your support in allowing adults to make adult choices about their own end of life arrangements – by supporting the appropriate legislation that would enable us to do that.     I cannot emphasise too much that activists such as myself, are promoting only self determination for self! Its called voluntary euthanasia, apparently an unpopular term to use in these days of euphemisms, but I prefer honesty above all else!

Thank you for your time,

Mary Walsh

Good Morning Mr Davis,

I am not just picking on you, you’ll be pleased to know – but I am writing to my local representatives at this time in order to promote a better outcome for the Physician Assisted Dying Bill or its equivalent when it comes to the Victorian Parliament again.

I am asking that the Liberal Party who prides itself on giving autonomy to the individual in all matters to do with business and commerce, to extend that compliment of implied intelligence to end of life choices.

If we activists can’t get past first base by appealing to simple compassion, perhaps the financial pain will help politicians understand the needs and wants of the chronic, terminal and ageing communities.     We need the law to protect the interests who those who cannot physically help themselves!   And to stop people hanging themselves because there is no where else for them to turn to relieving the stress of continual pain and suffering!

Governments need to show leadership and make provision for the ‘hard decisions’ on social issues.   The Labor Party leadership hasn’t never provided this security in terms of voluntary euthanasia, but I recall very well that Premier Jeff Kennett understood the importance of this matter to us as activists for choice.   Successive Liberal Opposition Leaders have said they will allow for conscience, but not the way it was treated at the last attempt to promote choice for the individual…..that was mean spirited!

Legislation could provide those in the later stages of their lives with the security of knowing, they don’t have to endure unless that is their choice.

Please help in this matter with your vote and I thank you for your time.

Mary Walsh

Good morning Ms Coote,

I am hoping with the upcoming election, that the Liberal Party will commit itself to a Physician Assisted Dying legislation which will not be manipulated with the same crudeness as the last attempt for the rights of 85% of Victorians to be considered in Victoria’s Parliament.

I am hoping the Liberal Party who always prides itself on provided for the autonomy of the individual, to know what is best for oneself, whether in life or business skills, will continue in end of life matters also.    Allow us to be the adults we are!

The current method of avoidance by government is neither helpful to the suffering individual or their relatives – and not to the taxpayers who are becoming more reluctant to leave their end of life choices to governments.    Financially the State will be crippled by the costs of an unproductive chronic and ageing population and while choice is not for everyone – I believe legislation should provide the right for choice for those of us who want it!.    Pro Choice should have equal rights to Pro Life in the same way we have equal voting rights!

85% of Victorians have indicated they want the Medical Treatment Act updated and upgraded to take into account modern medical technology which is robbing us of the option to die when nature would allow us to without intervention.

I am campaigning quite seriously against any politician who does not provide for choice and I am writing now in the expectation that politicians make themselves aware of the seriousness with which we activists view voluntary euthanasia as a human right, which is already given to animals by law!

Thank you for your time,

Mary Walsh

I’m wondering, Ms Barker with the passing of time, whether perhaps you have come to reconsider your views on the Physician Assisted Dying Bill which failed to move forward because of manipulation of the democratic process.

I am wondering whether in a State which is being overwhelmed by an aged and ailing population what you see you Victoria Labor Party doing in terms of practical forward thinking to combat the concerns of both prolonged suffering and financial strains.  Merely supplying more beds and buildings and departments, you’d realise of course, is not a satisfactory financial plan really.   Already there are strong indications that geriatric care is not high on the priority list of career moves for the health care worker.   I have yet to meet a happy resident of a nursing home in the later stages of life.

What is your government’s policy to provide for the future needs of an increasing aged population.?

I am wondering whether you avail yourself to the opportunity to visit nursing homes with the same care and attention you apply to schools?  Do you see the end of life with the same caring compassion that you heap on the primary school kids?

Why will the State government not consider PAD or self administered help as a logical extension to combating the incessant drain on the public purse, without any productivity gain for government or compassionate relief for the patient?   My children pay exorbitant fees to maintain the health of their children, because the children’s hospital waiting lists are ridiculous and yet the Brack/Brumby government persists in stalling effective legislation to ease the financial burden of maintaining congealing and shrinkage dying.

I will work actively against any politician who does not support choice for the individual, for the right to have choice for a good death, regardless of past loyalties which proved to be so one sided as to be insulting my passion in this regard .

I look forward to your responses to my musings, because we both know this problem will not go away.  85% of Victorians want change, and it imperative that people understand that vital word voluntary euthanasia – choice for the individual.

Mary Walsh

PS interesting times ahead in this household!

Please note the following time correction relating to the message below:

Catherine will meet interested people at 9.45am, a quarter of an hour before the service begins at 10am.

Dear Members

DWDV members and friends may be interested in this address, by the Rev Dr Francis McNab of the Collins Street Uniting Church and one of DWDV’s Ambassadors for Law Reform, this coming Sunday 11 April.

The address, which is part of the Sunday church service, is titled ‘ Look for a Good Life, Decide on a Dignified Death’

Venue:  St Michael’s Uniting Church, Collins St (on the corner of Russell Street).
Time:    10 am, Sunday 11 April.

Catherine Le Maistre, who is a member of St Michael’s congregation and a DWDV member, has offered to meet anyone interested, particularly those who are not regular St Michael’s attenders, by the large notice board in front of the church at 10.45am.  She will be wearing a name badge.
Thank you very much Catherine.

All are warmly welcome.

Regards
Judith Hoy
DWDV Member Communications

The Steve Guest Rally will be held on the steps of Parliament House, Spring Street, on Wednesday 14th April.

Steve Guest was a journalist and and an outspoken advocate for law reform regarding choice in dying. He died at a time of his own choosing in 2005.

You are invited to bring a photo of a departed loved one to hold during the rally, to add to the visual impact of the occasion.

There will be speakers.

All are welcome, at 12.30pm for a 1pm start, till 2pm

We look forward to seeing you there.

Judith Hoy

DWDV Member Communications

Dying With Dignity Victoria, Inc.    Reg. No: A0006974B    ABN: 80 591 186 892
3/9 b Salisbury Avenue, Blackburn, Victoria 3130
Web: www.dwdv.org.au Email: dwdv@dwdv.org.au
Phone: (03) 9877 7677    Fax: (03) 9877 5077