End of Life Act | Referendum | 2020

This week on our power to the people subject, we are learning about the end of life referendum. It means, that the person's doctor or nurse practitioner giving them medication to relieve their suffering by bringing on death. This act is made to end a person's life to end their suffering, however, it is not the nurse's or doctor's choice but the person who is suffering makes the choice. If a person helps make the person who is suffering make the choice to end their life, they will be accused of manslaughter.

There are still some requirements that need to be met by the person who would want to end their life.

1. Be aged 18 years or over
2. Be a citied or permanent resident of New Zealand
3. Suffer from a terminal illness that's likely to end their life within 6 months
4. Have significant and ongoing decline in physical capability
5. Experience unbearable suffering that cannot be eased
6. Be able to make an informed decision about assisted dying. 

There are also some pros and cons to this act:

Pro's

• People do not need to suffer
• A choice about your life and how it ends
• Hard decision taken away from loved ones

Con's

• Some doctors might not want to
• It's still suicide
• Goes against people's beliefs and values

What I would vote for:

I support this act because I think that the person should have the right to choose if he/she wants to end their suffering. Plus there are some strict requirements before they can make their decision meaning that not all people can make the choice to have someone assist kill them.