Dear Premier
\nWe, the undersigned leaders of faith\u00a0communities in Victoria, commend much of\u00a0the work of the recent Victorian End-of-Life\u00a0Choices Inquiry, which identified the need\u00a0to improve the quality and accessibility of\u00a0palliative care for all Victorians. \u00a0However we strongly reject the proposal to\u00a0legalise assisted suicide and euthanasia in\u00a0Victoria.<\/p>\n
Better care \u2013 not killing<\/strong><\/p>\n Human dignity is honoured in living life, not\u00a0in taking it. Even though an act of euthanasia\u00a0or assisted suicide may be motivated by\u00a0a sense of compassion, true compassion\u00a0motivates us to remain with those who are\u00a0dying, understanding and supporting them\u00a0through their time of need, rather than\u00a0simply acceding to a request to be killed. It\u00a0is right to seek to eliminate pain, but never right to eliminate people. Euthanasia and\u00a0assisted suicide represent the abandonment\u00a0of those who are in greatest need of our care\u00a0and support.<\/p>\n