During Synod a productive panel discussion including questions from synod members dealt with euthanasia / medical killing. Synod then formally said, ‘No’ to euthanasia. See, here.
The ABC followed up this panel discussion with an interview and the Radio news highlighted my concern regarding the impossibility of legislating for effective safeguards around euthanasia / medical killing. See ABC Radio News’ report, Church head’s euthanasia warning.
My concern is supported by yesterday’s report on ABC’s Lateline, Family members most likely to abuse elderly: Lifeline. This is a very worrying issue for our society.
Lifeline says older Australians are more likely to be abused by family members than by staff in aged care homes.
The community organisation has launched a study into the abuse of people aged over 65 to help improve support and protection services.
Spokeswoman Maya Zetlin says existing research shows psychological abuse is the most common form suffered by older Australians.
“Most abuse happens in the community and unfortunately mainly by family members,” she said.
“And the worst part [is] that … adult sons and daughters are the main abusers.
“The way older people are treated, spoken to, power taken away from them, threats are made to them … that type of abuse is very hard to identify,” she said.
“And there are a lot of people that don’t recognise that they’re abused or even that they’re abusing.”
Tragically the red lights attempting to stop euthanasia / medical killing legislation are being ignored. Elder abuse and euthanasia do not occupy separate worlds.
The Anglican Bishop of Tasmania says it is impossible to legislate protection for people against euthanasia if it is legalised.
The issue is being discussed among almost 200 Anglicans at the annual synod meeting being held in Launceston.
The Premier Lara Giddings announced last June she is working with the Greens leader Nick McKim to prepare a private members bill to legalise euthanasia.
Bishop John Harrower says there is documented abuse of elderly people in countries that have legalised it.
“The Dutch health minister that called and introduced euthanasia to the Netherlands in fact has come out publicly saying some years later now and said that it was a terrible mistake and she should never have introduced that.”
“And that’s because there are so many people now in Holland who are being euthanised without approval,” Bishop Harrower said.
From ABC News 4 June 2011.
The consequence of our country combining the tragedy of elder abuse by family members with the travesty of euthanasia is literally a matter of life and death.
Regarding the export of children“who’ve come across the seas” seeking asylum, the Chairman of the Anglican Church’s Migrants and Refugees Network, Archbishop Jeffrey Driver, said that there was “no way” sending any asylum seeker children to Malaysia was in their best interests.
“There are very real reasons to believe that these children will be at risk in these camps. As Australians, do we want that responsibility on our hands?”
“Most of these children have already fled trauma. As Guardian of these children, and as a signatory to the UNHCR convention, the Minister cannot abrogate his responsibilities and send any children to suffer the risk of further persecution and possible trauma.
“If the Government is really serious about stopping the boat people why does the Minister not start processing refugee cases properly and fairly in countries of first asylum such as Pakistan, Iran and Syria.
“Of course, we do not condone people smugglers and the huge profits they make trafficking vulnerable people but why are we punishing the victims instead of the perpetrators?”
But few people seem to care. Is it because elder abuse is so wide spread that Australians don’t want to highlight it? Is it easier to condemn the maltreatment of exported cows than the abuse of the elderly at home and the export of children from our shores to a caning culture? What are we becoming?What are we exporting? God have mercy on Australia.
I’m finding it harder to sing, let alone ‘in joyful strains’,
For those who’ve come across the seas
We’ve boundless plains to share;
With courage let us all combine
To Advance Australia Fair.In joyful strains then let us sing,
Advance Australia Fair.
Our National Anthem holds great meaning, encouragement and challenge.
“In history’s page, let every stage Advance Australia Fair”. – Will our nation be know for its “fairness”?
“To make this Commonwealth of ours Renowned of all the lands”? – Australia will be “renowned”. The issue is; renowned for what? Let’s not be renowned for the ‘export’ of the elderly, children and cows.
Before we sing Advance Australia Fair we need to be fair and to live up to the words sung. Life is not about words without life but rather words fully lived.
See, Euthanasia and elder abuse and Elder abuse: a fraction reported and Euthanasia a mistake: Dutch Minister.
