The wife of prostate cancer sufferer Bob Bowcher says her husband would not have chosen to end his life through euthanasia, even if the practice was legal.
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Mr Bowcher, a passionate men’s health advocate who was instrumental in improving prostate cancer treatments in the Riverina, died on New Year’s Day last year after a 12-year battle with the disease.
The Victorian government could become the first state in Australia to introduce voluntary euthanasia laws, but Doris Bowcher said it was a “very hard call”.
“There is a lot in place to help people on their journey,” she said.
“The palliative care unit does a great job.”
However, Mrs Bowcher – who describes herself as a strong Christian – said everybody was different and that individual circumstances could sway a person’s decision.
“It may be that they do’t have many people to help them (through palliative care),” she said.
“But I’m a strong Christian, so I don’t believe in (euthanasia).
“Some terminal illnesses are manageable, but others are just horrific.”
Member for Wagga Daryl Maguire said to not expect a similar piece of legislation to be passed by the NSW government.
He said the Victorian government legislation would be a case of “wait and see”, but saw the situation as similar to when the Northern Territory passed it euthanasia laws in 1995 before the federal government intervened with the Euthanasia Laws Act 1997.
“It’s been raised before (in NSW),” Mr Maguire said.
“The Greens raise it from time to time.
“There are powerful cases that give reason for the argument as to why we should (introduce euthanasia laws), but also powerful ones on why we shouldn’t.”
Mr Maguire said the government had instead invested a significant amount of money into palliative care.
“The palliative care improvements are delivering better results for individuals and their loved ones,” he said.
Former Greens federal election candidate Kevin Poynter told The Daily Advertiser in June that people in severe pain should have the choice to die with dignity.
“If any of my family would want to do it, I would support them,” Mr Poynter said.
“But safeguards should be put in place – we need to make sure we do this properly.”
It is understood the Victorian laws would be immune from Commonwealth intervention, unlike the NT legislation in the 1990s.
The Victorian government will introduce the bill in the second half of 2017, with all its MPs granted a conscience vote on the matter.
