Law Assignment

The parliament has special committees to educate the politicians more about the specific issue which assists them overall to make the best possible decision when making a law. The parliament might know they want to change the law but unsure of what the best way to do so is. This is why committees can also make recommendations as of what to change the current law too.People interested in this bill are able to have input by offering a submission. This is a public document submitted on the Committee’s website unless asked to be private or anonymous by the authors. An example of a submission is one by Julia Anaf says that “I strongly support the right to choose voluntary euthanasia under prescribed circumstances”. This has allowed a citizen of our state to input their thoughts to the Standing Committee and therefore influencing the law. I think the new legislation is beneficial to the Victorian Community it carries out the wishes of patients. Some medical illnesses are so painful and prolonged that nurses or doctors aren’t competent to reduce discomfort so palliative management is overlooked. The ABC predicts that “about 150 people a year in Victoria would ask for a doctor-assisted death.” meaning that 150 victims will have been diminished of their suffering. Imagine being in the worst discomfort when doing the simplest activities such as eating, sleeping and walking. Victorians should have the right to cease their never-ending affliction if there is no cure. Euthanasia allows patients to have a peaceful death at the time of their choosing and not a slow, agonising end. Passing away like this will make them happier than the suffering of every day. As a member of society,h we have a right to conclude their suffering and members of parliament have a obligation to respect this. One reason against the new legislation is that by legalising assisted suicide, defenceless patients are exposed to moral pressure to euthanise. A suffer from a terminal illness might feel it their duty to end their life as they do not want to feel a burden to their family and friends. Those with sicknesses might feel that their lives are worth less than other leading to mental health issues and once again the compulsion to use assisted suicide. Patients also might feel obligated to end their life to stop taking up precious health resource and to free up a hospital bed. Those opposed to the new law believe that this is not a good enough reason and they want patients to fight for their life. Groups opposed to the new legislation could have made a petition to give to the Victorian Parliament. This could have been online or written and stated their clear message in a persuasive manner to allow the government to understand their values while also trying to change their minds. By getting lots of people to sign the petition it would have made more a effect and changed more politicians minds to not change the law. The petition link could have been shared on social media to reach a bigger audience and get people talking. An E-Petition was made on the Parliament of Victoria’s website by, Dr Rachel Carling-Jenkins, which received 993 signatures and was tabled to the parliament. Another way to oppose the legislation would be to hold a protest or march in Melbourne on a main street or outside of Parliament House. Politicians and bystanders do really notice when a protest occurs and can make people look at the issue with new eyes. They invite conversation, persuasion, and change.Lots of attention is also attracted from the media. Therefore the issue is publicise in the news, reaching out to inform more people and raise awarness. This would gain more signatures for the petitions and more campaigners to fight against the bill. This then gives the parliament reason to not change the legislationThe Victorian Law Reform Commission helps the government to have enough information on a particular topic to make an educated decision on the laws. They also make recommendations on how the law should change that are taken into account. Experts give insight, meetings are held between various groups involved with the law such as the handicapped or marginalised and submissions are accepted. Which allows the commission to write the best possible report thinking about both sides of the argument. Finally, the government decides how the law will change and either agree (most of the time) or disagrees with the recommendations. The Commission’s role is to inform the parliament and to make recommendations.In December 2015 the Attorney-General asked the Commission to write a report on and recommendations on the Adoption Act 1984 and the Adoption Regulations 2008. Ideas on inquiry were guaranteeing the main focus on children’s right and interests, suitability to adopt and the process, access to adoption information and birth certificate for the adopted. The final report was tabled in Parliament on the 7th of June 2017. No changes have been made to the law yet but are said to happen soon.The balance of power indicates the importance of minority parties or independents when their support is crucial for a bill to go through. These small groups or individual’s vote is impetivative to allow laws to go through therefore making them hold the “balance in power”. This is only the case when the main, big party in power does not have more than half seats in parliment. I think that the Andrews government not having the majority is in the upper house is a good thing. If one party holds the power, in both the upper and lower houses, then anything that, that group believes will change if they hold the majority . This then only displays the perspective of one party. If multiple smaller parties are in control of the power for a bill to get through multiple groups need to support the law. This means it is first supported by a bigger party then is also supported by minority groups. This bill then indicates the views of the most possible number of parties and people of Victoria are demonstrated in the new law. The outcome should then be better quality laws that are more thought out and suported by more people. I believe this is the best outcome so it is best for the balance of power is held by smaller parties in Victoria. The Governor of Victoria is the Queen’s representative as the head of State. Their roles include giving royal assent, with their signature, to a bill to allow it to become a law They have the power to swear in ministers and judges and also dismiss them. The governor also is the chair of the executive council each week were a variety of government business occurs. The Governor’s role should be kept as they are neutral so they are not sided of the government or the Queen so they look at bills with a new and unique perspective. They are in the middle so their judgment has no bias or is influenced by anything. They are a good representative and role model for our country as they have been recommended by the premier to be in their position. This means they have had much experience and a good reputation. It is important to remember our countries heritage and how we were settled by the British. Without them where would Australia be today? The Governor reminds us of our country’s foundation and past.