Below is the letter I have recently sent to the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, Premier of Tasmania, Tasmanian Senators and members of the Legislative Council and House of Assembly:

Dear …

Euthanasia

I write on behalf of Tasmania’s Anglican community regarding the current issue of euthanasia.

The Synod meeting in June affirmed the Anglican Church of Tasmania’s belief that all human life is made in the image of God and is precious in His sight, as well our belief that a just society will seek to protect the weak and vulnerable.

Euthanasia and assisted suicide weakens the protection and care of the elderly, people living with disabilities, infants and children: the vulnerable.

I wish to express the Anglican Church of Tasmania’s opposition to voluntary euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide as we strongly request that you oppose any initiative to legislate for voluntary euthanasia or physician assisted suicide.

Instead we implore the State and Federal Government to provide adequate funding for palliative care services across Tasmania and the nation.

Yours sincerely

John D Harrower OAM

Bishop of Tasmania

MP’s replies:

• Premier Lara Giddings MP

• Senator Nick Sherry (Labor Senator for Tasmania)

• The Hon Mike Gaffney MLC (Member for Mersey)

• Hon Rosemary Armitage MLC (Member for Launceston)

• Vanessa Goodwin MLC (Liberal Member for Pembroke)

• Senator Stephen Parry (Liberal Senator for Tasmania)

• Elise Archer MP (Liberal Member for Denison)

• Senator Catryna Bilyk (Labor Senator for Tasmania)

• The Hon Will Hodgman MP (Leader of the Opposition, Tasmania)

• Senator Carol Brown (Labor Senator for Tasmania)

• Jacquie Petrusma MP (Member for Franklin)

• Peter Gutwein MP (Liberal Member for Bass)

• Kerry Finch MLC (Member for Rosevears)

• David O’Byrne MP (Labor Member for Franklin)

• Senator Lisa Singh (Labor Senator for Tasmania)

• Doug Parkinson MLC (Labor Member for Hobart)

• The Hon Bryan Green MP (Deputy Premier)

• Nick McKim MP (Greens Leader for Tasmania)

• Senator Anne Urquhart (Labor Senator for Tasmania)

• Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet

• Michael Ferguson MP (Liberal Member for Bass)

• Michelle O’Byrne MP (Minister for Health, Tasmania)

• Julie Collins MP (Federal Labor Member for Franklin)

• The Hon Michael Polley MP

• The Hon Brendan O’Connor MP

• The Hon Ruth Forrest MLC (Member for Murchison)

• The Hon Michael Polley MP (Speaker of the House of Assembly) (including Michelle O’Byrne’s letter to Michael Polley)

• Matthew Groom MP (Liberal Member for Denison)