Support for voluntary euthanasia grows

In 2015 Sue Walkinton (centre) was one of a Whanganui group advocating end-of-life choice. With her were Mairi Jay (left) and Lyneke Onderwater. PHOTO/ FILE

A survey showing growing support for legalising voluntary euthansia has heartened Whanganui End-of-Life Choice campaigner Sue Walkinton.

The Auckland University survey was published in the New Zealand Medical Journal. There were 15,822 people surveyed and 66 per cent were in favour of making it legal for doctors to end the lives of people with incurable diseases or conditions if the patients request it.

A further 22 per cent were neutral or unsure, and 12 per cent were strongly opposed.

The number in favour was three per cent higher than a 2012 survey. Mrs Walkinton said it will increase as the "unsure" learn more - but the number opposed is unlikely to change.

"That 12 per cent will not ever budge, and that's fine because it will not ever affect them."

The Voluntary Euthanasia Society wants to make it legal for doctors to end the lives of people who are suffering if they request it. There is no legislation before Parliament at present, but as the result of a petition the health select committee is hearing thousands of submissions on the matter.

"We are sitting and waiting," Mrs Walkinton said.

No euthansia bill has ever passed in Parliament. One was soundly lost in 1995, but the latest effort, in 2003, was lost by only one vote.

Legislation would make it legal for doctors to do what they are already doing. Mrs Walkinton heard recently about a GP who helped two in a family to die - one had multiple sclerosis and the other had ovarian cancer.

"On both occasions the doctor came in when things got too tough and actually assisted their dying. He was an ardent Christian too. We want to make that legal."

Mrs Walkinton is waiting to hear what the health select committee will recommend. She's hoping the matter will come to Parliament soon and that voting will not be by conscience.

A conscience vote would allow people to vote based on their religion, rather than on what their electorate wanted, she said.

"Is it your religion that you are meant to be voting on, or is it your electorate's opinion?"

The Auckland University survey found religion was just one of the factors for people who were opposed to voluntary euthanasia. Older people, people of high education and social status, Asian and Pacific people and people with low household incomes were also more likely to be opposed.