There is no better measure of individual freedom than having the right to decide what to do with our own bodies. When the law prevents us from making free choices about our bodies, then we are not really free at all.
For this reason, I believe the legalisation of assisted suicide is long overdue. Opinion polls show more than 80 per cent of Australians are in favour, across all political parties. It is high time governments accepted that their intrusion is not warranted in this deeply personal matter.
That’s why I have introduced a Bill to Parliament that, if passed, would allow the ACT and NT to legislate to allow assisted suicide. Its passage would send a strong signal to state and territory governments to change their laws to reflect public opinion.
Readers have the power to help pass this Bill. I encourage everyone to contact their political representatives and make known their support for giving Australians the right to assisted suicide in 2016.
Senator David Leyonhjelm (Liberal Democrats NSW), Drummoyne
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