Paul Keating is but one citizen of this great country, and although an eminent one whom I have long admired, his view on the question of voluntary assisted dying carries no more weight than that of someone with intolerable and unrelievable suffering. As far as I am aware, he is not terminally ill, nor has such suffering. He does not have to make a choice, but if he did, it seems likely his choice would be guided by his Catholic beliefs. He is not an ethicist, but if he were, he would be guided by Catholic bioethics. Although he denies any influence of religion, his views are virtually identical to those promoted by religious bodies.
I admired Keating because he has always been an agent for change in Australia, change which has improved the lives of many Australians. He produced change after careful study of the economic and political arguments around his subject, but his opinion on voluntary assisted dying does not indicate any detailed study of the vast amount of empirical evidence of the protection of all in the community in jurisdictions where similar laws are in place. Keating appeals to tradition to maintain a status quo which is demonstrably inadequate. I am so glad he did not argue in that way while treasurer and prime minister.
Illustration: Andrew Dyson
The opinions that matter are the opinions of those facing their mortality, and the legislation gives them a choice as to how when and where they will die, and as to whom will be with them to say goodbye. This legislation will improve both the living and dying of many Victorians.
Dr Rodney Syme, Toorak
It's a wonderful life and a better death
Paul Keating's best efforts were not enough to sway our worn-out pollies. His view that euthanasia "puts a low premium on life" is out of touch with modern-day views. Thankfully, we are increasingly letting people make their own decisions.
A life is not measured by days spent on this earth but by the number of good days spent doing as one wishes.
To the pro-lifers, do as you please. Live how you wish to live, but please, let others live the life they wish to live and have lived. It is not for me to determine when someone's time is up; I don't think it is your decision either. And to Mr Keating, this isn't an "unacceptable departure in our approach to human existence", it's a wonderful progression to living in a world without judgment and compulsion.
Joshua Goldsmith, South Yarra
At last politicians do what we expect
We may well despair at the absence of mature, informed and rational debate at all levels of politics, and worry that our future is in the hands of people that cannot further the betterment of our society.
Despite this, I feel a great sense of hope and optimism in observing the way that the Victorian Parliament has prepared for, engaged with and debated the assisted dying issue. I am very proud to see our representatives standing up, and respectfully and thoughtfully doing exactly what we have elected them to do.
Paul Dulfer, Northcote
Providing a safe pair of hands
Given the heart-rending accounts of people taking matters into their own hands, the assisted dying legislation actually provides safeguards on what everyone knows already happens.
Steve Melzer, Hughesdale
Autumn time, and the livin' is easy
Hooray, at 86: now that I can die easier, I can live easier.
Myra Fisher, Brighton East
FORUM
Injecting some sense
As a new resident to Abbotsford I am struck by the difference between Victoria Street and my previous experiences in Sydney's Darlinghurst. I now appreciate that Sydney's medically supervised injecting centre meant that though I had heard of the bad old days of overdoses and injecting equipment in the street, this is my first experience of them.
I thought I was moving to a progressive state, but prioritising law and order politics over public health and evidenced-based harm minimisation policy is detracting from the Andrews government's legacy.
The community and the council are strongly in favour of a trial centre and the state's failure to act affects all of us. The risk of spreading blood borne viruses, the lost opportunity for health promotion campaigns and hepatitis C treatment, the current impact on emergency services and the broader community are the price we are all paying for the government's ideological opposition. Injecting centres may not be the silver bullet, but they are an important part of the solution.
Laksmi Govindasamy, Abbotsford
Simple made stressful …
So the once simple act of catching a cab will now involve the same level of stress and effort as that of buying a brand-new car. Instead of just hailing the next cab on the rank, you will now need to select which model of transport you want, go and visit various suppliers, get them to compete with each other, determine which offers the most suitable price and service for you, and then enter into an agreement for the provision of those services. And this is meant to be easier and more efficient ?
Matthew Gilbert, Hampton Park
... and sometimes wet
Mike Puleston, (Letters, 20/10), has touched upon the absurdity of the new taxi fare rules, where our bargaining for and inquiring about fares will mean leaning in to the cab exposed to soaking rain and windstorms, as no longer will we be able to simply jump into a cab and get going ... unless you are one of the decision-makers bringing us this system, who will, of course, have taxi vouchers paid for by us.
Ray Brown, Seymour
Driven out of town
So the Australian auto industry departs ("Driven to destruction", Comment, 20/10).
Ironically, it is only now that the real issues in this industrial annihilation are being properly canvassed.
It is only now that there is general recognition that every country with an auto industry provides government support, and almost universally at a significantly higher rate than was the norm for Australia.
It is only now that we are recognising that countries like Japan and Germany support the auto industry because they know that it forms the backbone of manufacturing in general.
Two aspects of this debacle stand out.
First, the quiescence of the Labor Party. No clear opposition. No pressure on the government as the decision was being made and announced. Made and announced, outrageously, with pride. Still no coherent position.
Secondly, the government has produced an extraordinary postscript. It is launching a campaign to promote the STEM subjects. Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Why? Because no country can have too many unemployed engineers or scientists! The more the merrier. Just what are these guys taking?
Geoff Hjorth, Spotswood
Incompetence obvious
Having just read Ian Porter's article, I find it incomprehensible that the Abbott/Turnbull government could allow this to happen, it just shows how incompetent this government is.
Perry Becker, Leopold
Foot in both camps
The Age has again offered up opposing views and comment. "Jobless rate hits four-year low of 5.5 per cent," according to Eryk Bagshaw. Then six pages on we read "Driven to destruction", by Ian Porter, who suggests that "wages stagnate and unemployment rises". Always good to have a foot in both camps.
Alastair Edmondson, Rutherglen
Doctor got it wrong
I do hope that Dr Kevin Donnelly is not a senior research fellow in genetics at Australian Catholic University. His claim that "men have XX while women have XY chromosomes" (20/10) may go some way towards explaining some of the practices and attitudes of the Catholic Church. As for the rest of us, men have XY and women have XX.
Kevan Porter, Alphington
Different but the same
Kevin Donnelly undoes much of his argument on the Catholic Church, moral authority and marriage equality in his last sentence. He claims that men and women are biologically different but have equal rights. Not for the archaic, hidebound, discriminatory male hierarchy.
Patrick Kavanagh, Strangways
Childlike argument
Of all the arguments against marriage equality surely the proposition that it could be bad for children is the silliest. If a same-sex couple want to have a child they have to make a determined effort to achieve that aim. Unlike heterosexual couples who have to make efforts NOT to get pregnant, same-sex couples can never conceive a child without deliberation and conscious effort. And while many, indeed most, children of unplanned pregnancies are just as loved and nurtured as their "planned" siblings, a good indicator of a child's successful start in life is to be born into a family that is ready and eager to bring that child into the world.
Dr Cheryl Day, Beaumaris
Discount nonsense
Yesterday I received my quarterly power bill from electricity retailer AGL. The total charge, inclusive of a "paid for by due date" discount was $802 if paid on or before October 31. However, if I were to pay on November 1, the charge increases to $1092 due to the loss of the discount.
This raises two questions: Presuming that, due to financial limitations, I'm unable to pay $800 by the end of the month, how does AGL imagine I can afford an additional $290 merely a day or two later; and more particularly, why does the cost of my electricity effectively increase by 8 per cent overnight because of a trivial administrative detail?
Geoff Perston, Yarram
Policy lacks logic
Well said, Doug Shaw (Letters, 19/10)! You note that National Party members want subsidies to environment-friendly projects cut, yet climate change will hurt farmers as temperature and rainfall change in unpredictable ways. Many National Party supporters are farmers so the party policy on climate change is illogical.
Leo Gamble, Mentone.
Principled principal
Congratulations to Melbourne Girls' College Principal Karen Money for her constructive and supportive leadership following allegations of two students being involved with drugs (The Age, 17/10). This is a very refreshing change from the usual immediate expulsion so often demonstrated by schools which laud their "successes" but immediately abandon students who might tarnish the carefully managed "image".
Russell Harrison, Sandringham
Bush nails it well
I never thought as someone from the left I would ever agree with George W Bush but his utterances about the present state of the United States of America reflects the opinion of most progressives: "Bigotry seems emboldened. Our politics seems more vulnerable to conspiracy theories and outright fabrication." Couldn't have said it better.
Con Vaitsas, Ashbury, NSW
Diplomatic about-face
Julie Bishop shows us why she is such a successful foreign affairs diplomat.
She had not long ago said she'd find it hard to build trust with a Labour government in New Zealand.
But she smartly changed her tune when the New Zealand Labour Party formed government after the elections with Labour leader Jacinda Ardern as Prime Minister saying she looks forward to working with the Labour government of NZ and the strong bonds between the two countries and all that.
That's politics for you – pure and simple!
Rajend Naidu, Sydney, NSW
I was incorrect
In a letter "Finns lead the way" (20/10) I wrote that "Finland doesn't fund private schools". The letter should have read "Finland doesn't fund private schools if they charge fees".
Dr David Zyngier, Monash University
AND ANOTHER THING ...
There's a theme here ...
Abbott as leader + Abbott policies = Poor polls. Turnbull as leader + Abbott policies = Poor polls. Anyone spot the common factor?
John Walsh, Watsonia
Will the real Malcolm Turnbull please stand up? To Tony Abbott I mean.
Phillip Edwards, Churchill
Liberal coal dust
What is the difference between reliable energy and renewable energy? A lot of Liberal coal dust!
Peter Johns, Sorrento
Power without glory?
Stan Marks, Caulfield
Is NEG short for Negligible or for Negligent?
Peter Carlin, Frankston South
The good old days
To George W. Bush and Richard M. Nixon, all is forgiven.
Peter Rutherford, Geelong West
On the lookout
Having to be warned about dangerous magpie larks (The Age, 20/10) is enough to give anyone the Collywobbles.
Barbara Abell, Ringwood North
The right to die
Sarah Abboud (Letters, 20/10) says God should decide when we die. Cases where euthanasia might be considered are usually being kept alive by science, or in other words, fruit from Eden's forbidden Tree of Knowledge.
John Green, Beaumaris
So, assisted dying is "God's decision". That prompts the question: which God? Jews, Christians and Muslims are monotheistic, or should one of the Hindu gods have the final say on this vexed question.
Linda Mackie, Collingwood
Furthermore
Victorian schools are in dire need of Finnish-ing touches (Letters, 20/10).
Wendy Knight, Little River
Finally
Sorry, Paul Keating (The Age, 20/10), but the last thing I'll be thinking of when my time is expiring is what the euthanasia law says.
Henry Herzog, St Kilda East