[Right_to_die] More liberal law could have extended man's life --- politician

[World right-to-die news list (nonprofit)]

The Green Party in Tasmania issued the following press release 4 July 09:

ROBERT CORDOVER’S DEATH HIGHLIGHTS NEED FOR VOLUNTARY EUTHANASIA LAWS
---Nick McKim MP

Greens Leader Nick McKim MP today said that the death of voluntary 
euthanasia campaigner Robert Cordover highlights the urgent need for 
voluntary euthanasia laws in Tasmania, saying that it is possible that 
Mr Cordover had taken his life earlier than he would have wished because 
current laws are deficient.

Mr McKim also said that Mr Cordover’s death also highlights the fact 
that current laws discriminate against terminally ill people with 
disabilities, who are unable to take their own lives yet cannot ask for 
help from family or friends due to potential legal sanction against 
anyone who assists.

Mr McKim pointed to statements made by Justice Peter Underwood, now 
Governor of Tasmania, who said when sentencing Stuart Godfrey that ‘…it 
might be said that those who wish to end their own lives but are 
physically unable to do so, are discriminated against by reason of their 
physical disability.’

“It is probable that deficiencies in current laws hastened Mr Cordover’s 
death and MPs who oppose voluntary euthanasia should think long and hard 
about Mr Cordover’s situation before they cast their vote,” Mr McKim said.

  “The best way to end the current discriminatory laws would be to 
regulate voluntary euthanasia with strong safeguards, which is what my 
Bill would do if passed by the Parliament.”

“Mr Cordover’s death occurred in an unregulated environment, and I 
remain of the belief that it would be preferable for the law to be 
changed to ensure proper safeguards are in place. I know that Mr 
Cordover agreed with me.”

Mr McKim said that Mr Cordover’s family have given Mr McKim permission 
to speak about his death, and that Mr Cordover had previously personally 
given Mr McKim permission to use his name and circumstances in public 
statements about voluntary euthanasia.

“It was an absolute honour for me to meet Mr Cordover recently, and his 
decision to take his own life did not surprise me as he carried himself 
with absolute dignity in his life, and wanted to die with it intact.”